MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 03: Britain's Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk, speaks on the third day of the Conservative Party Conference on October 03, 2023 in Manchester, England. Home Secretary Suella Braverman will deliver her keynote speech to delegates at The Conservative Party Conference, at Manchester Central, and talks about reducing migration to the UK.
UK Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk blocked the early release of the man who had beaten his wife to death in October 2010.
The release of Robert Brown was supposedly due next month after 26 years of imprisonment for killing Joana Simpson.
UK Justice Secretary Blocks Robert Brown's Early Release
The Simpson family has endorsed prolonging the imprisonment of Robert Brown to Alex Chalk. The Lord Chancellor used his power to sympathize with the Simpson family by referring the release of Brown to the Parole Board.
"I am delighted that Alex Chalk, the lord chancellor, has blocked Robert Brown's automatic release and is referring the decision to the Parole Board," said Joana's mom.
According to Parkes, Brown left a traumatic experience for the family. She fears for the safety of their family and what Brown might do in the future to other women. Parkes said Brown is a dangerous man and should be kept in jail.
Chalk pushed through the referral by the power to detain provisions under the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts Act, introduced in April 2022. The act was implemented to protect the public from threatening offenders when the offender poses severe harm and cannot be managed by the usual license conditions.
Furthermore, the Joana Simpson Foundation was built as a tribute to her. The organization aims to protect children who have undergone domestic abuse and homicide. The foundation also campaigned to block the early release of Brown.
Simpson's close friend, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, said, "Whilst today has been a victory for Diana Parkes, Joanna's children, myself, and Joanna's wider family and friends, we know the fight doesn't and won't end here."
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Joana Simpson's Death
Brown aallegedly killed Simpson with a hammer smashed in her head at least 14 times at their home in Ascot, Berkshire, while their two children were in the next room. Simpson's body was moved to a grave made before her death in Windsor Great Park.
Brown was sentenced to 24 years for manslaughter and an additional two years for the offense of obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty. He was absolved of murder in May 2011 at Reading Crown Court for admitting to a manslaughter case that shortened his responsibility.
Chalk's commitment to the Simpson family motivated his referral to the Parole Board. He also reviewed the investigation and concluded that Brown should stay in jail to protect the public.
The blocking of Brown's release has also gained support from the former justice secretary, Robert Buckland, who commissioned the domestic homicide review. He said that their action is for both justice and public protection.
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