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THE mum of Joanna Simpson is terrified her daughter's killer will be released - and says he "wants revenge".

On Halloween in 2010, Robert Brown battered 46-year-old Joanna to death just one week before the finalisation of their divorce.

Joanna Simpson was killed by evil husband Robert Brown
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Joanna Simpson was killed by evil husband Robert BrownCredit: Dan Charity
Now Joanna's mum Diana Parks is begging Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to keep Brown behind bars
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Now Joanna's mum Diana Parks is begging Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to keep Brown behind barsCredit: Dan Charity

The couple's two young children cowered in a playroom during the sick assault.

Brown then dumped her body in a makeshift coffin in Windsor Great Park.

But just over a decade after former British Airways pilot Brown, now 59, was put behind bars, Joanna’s family are once again living in fear as he is set to be released halfway through his sentence.

He served just 13 years of his 26-year term and is up for automatic release on licence in November.

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However, new Justice Secretary Alex Chalk could use his powers to refer the case to the board to consider whether it is safe to release him.

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Joanna's mother, Diana Parks, said: "Well, I'm very grateful that he's agreed to meet us and I just really hope that we can get through to him that Brown is not fit to be released, and that he should stay in prison for as long as possible."

She added: "I am very concerned about his release because he will seek revenge. He will blame everybody else but himself for what he did.

"Jo's friends, my family and women in general will be in danger because he has lost everything that he had.

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"He's been stripped of it all. He's lost his job as a British Airways air captain. He's lost his home.

"He's lost his status, he has lost his high earning. But most of all he's lost his children, because they never want to see him again."

Ms Simpson's friend, Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, who is also chairwoman of Refuge, the largest domestic abuse charity in the UK, said that Mr Chalk was the "one man on the planet" who can stop her friend's killer from being released.

"With manslaughter in the determinate sentence, which is what Robert Brown got, they get given a sentence but they are entitled to be let out halfway through - now two thirds of the way through.

"And that's the problem, there is no protection for the public.

"And what we're trying to do is leverage the changes that came in last year, which gives one man on this planet the ability to stop this from happening and that is Alex Chalk."

Brown, formerly of Winkfield, Berkshire, was sentenced to 24 years for manslaughter and a further two years for an offence of obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty.

If released on licence he will be subject to a number of conditions. If he breaks those conditions, including by committing a crime, he may be sent back to prison.

In a statement, the said: "The Lord Chancellor understands the anguish Mrs Parkes and Ms Barkworth-Nanton feel at the prospect of Robert Brown's release and has invited them to meet with him before he considers this case later in the year."

Brown dumped Joanna's body in a makeshift coffin in a nearby park
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Brown dumped Joanna's body in a makeshift coffin in a nearby parkCredit: Dan Charity
Mum Diana with Joanna's brother James Simpson after Brown was convicted of manslaughter
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Mum Diana with Joanna's brother James Simpson after Brown was convicted of manslaughterCredit: Doug Seeburg - The Sun
Brown is due to be released on licence
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Brown is due to be released on licenceCredit: PA

How you can get help

Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:

  • Always keep your phone nearby.
  • Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
  • If you are in danger, call 999.
  • Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
  • Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
  • If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
  • Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

If you are a ­victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support ­service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].

Women’s Aid provides a  - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.

You can also call the freephone 24-hour ­National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

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