Dominic Raab promises full risk assessment before Joanna Simpson’s hammer killer is potentially released from prison
THE Justice Secretary has promised a full risk assessment of the anticipated early release from prison of Joanna Simpson’s hammer killer.
The victim’s mother Diana Parkes, 83, met Dominic Raab yesterday to discuss her concerns about Robert Brown going free.
Brown battered wife Joanna, 46, to death with a claw hammer in Ascot, Berkshire, in 2010.
We revealed yesterday he was blocked from an open prison move last year as he was found to still be a serious public threat.
And Mr Raab says he will review in detail whether to use the new Power to Detain law closer to Brown’s scheduled automatic release date in November.
The Joanna Simpson Foundation said in a statement on the meeting: “We welcome his assurance that he will request a complete risk assessment of Robert Brown’s release under the new powers he has available to him.
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"We are very encouraged by this important development.”
Mr Raab confirmed he was giving the case “my closest personal attention and will be reviewing it very carefully”.
He added: “I want dangerous offenders to remain behind bars for longer.
“This is why we’ve already introduced tougher sentences for the worst offenders, ended the automatic halfway release for serious crimes, and are reforming parole to keep prisoners who pose a risk to the public off our streets.”
