Joanna Simpson’s family to meet Dominic Raab amid fears killer may be released after serving half his sentence
HAMMER victim Joanna Simpson’s family will meet the Justice Secretary amid fears her killer will be released after half his sentence.
Dominic Raab vowed to review Robert Brown’s parole bid “rigorously” after The Sun told how her kids are terrified.
Ex-British Airways pilot Brown battered to death estranged wife Joanna, 46, within earshot of their two children on Halloween 2010 — a week before their divorce was due to be finalised.
Now 59, he has served just half his 26-year sentence and is seeking to be released on licence in November.
Joanna’s mother Diana Parkes, 83, launched an appeal in Saturday’s Sun to block Brown’s release.
Yesterday, the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg caught Mr Raab off guard when she asked him to explain the decision when he was a guest on her show.
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Asked if he would meet Diana, Mr Raab replied “Yes, of course”, adding: “Within the powers I’ve got, I will look at this as I would any other case, very rigorously.”
The Joanna Simpson Foundation, set up by Diana to campaign against domestic abuse, said last night: “We are very pleased the Justice Secretary has agreed to meet Joanna’s family so they can explain in their own words what they feel has gone so wrong in this case.
“We are confident that when Mr Raab is presented with all the facts he will agree with us that all action needs to be taken to prevent Robert Brown’s release.”
Horrific killing
Brown hid a hammer in one of his children’s bags when he came to drop them off at their home in Ascot, Berks.
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He hit Joanna 14 times over the head then put her body in his car before burying her in Windsor Great Park.
He was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter at Reading crown court in 2011.
Brown got 24 years for the killing — plus two years for obstructing a coroner.
On Saturday, Diana told The Sun that she is convinced Brown will find a way to hurt her and her grandchildren if released.
She said: “I worry for everybody because this man is not safe. I think he will stop at nothing and we will be constantly looking over our shoulders. Let common sense please rule the day.
"This man is not fit to be let out. He should stay in jail for at least his full sentence.”
Speaking on BBC1’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Raab added: “This is one of the reasons that we increase sentencing in the Police Court Sentencing and Crime Act, disappointed Labour blocked it, it would have dealt with an increase in sentencing in exactly this kind of case.
“That’s why I’m bringing forward, very shortly, reforms to the parole process, because my job is always to put victims first, so of course I will meet with her, and secondly to protect the public.”
Asked if he was sympathetic to blocking Brown’s release, he said: “I would risk being judicially challenged if I started to prejudice the decision I will make later.
“But I think across the board, people have noticed a change since I’ve come in as Justice Secretary.
“I’ve also been clear, I don’t think the powers are adequate which is why I will be bringing forward legislature proposals to reform that shortly.
“I hope that is something that would have widespread support.”
Powers introduced last year allow Mr Raab to intervene when a serious offender is about to be released after serving part of their sentence.
He can require the case to be considered by the Parole Board and action can be taken if there are reasonable grounds that the released prisoner would pose a significant risk to the public.
It can be applied in a range of serious offences, including manslaughter.
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A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “This was an appalling crime and our thoughts remain with Joanna’s family and friends.
“Mr Raab will do everything in his power to keep the most dangerous offenders behind bars and has pledged to give this case his closest attention.”
