Family of tragic Joanna Simpson welcome plans to give stiffer sentences to domestic abusers who kill

THE family of tragic Joanna Simpson have welcomed plans to give stiffer sentences to domestic abusers who kill.

They hope a crackdown will mean killers with a history of coercive behaviour cannot use a loophole to escape jail time.

At present, those who kill in the home get lesser sentences than those who kill strangers.

They can also — like Joanna’s killer Robert Brown — use a defence of diminished responsibility to escape with a manslaughter conviction.

The Lord Chancellor has ordered a review, suggesting domestic murderers get at least 25 years.

The Joanna Simpson Foundation said: “This will mean more vulnerable women are protected.

“We are particularly pleased to see the Lord Chancellor has requested the Law Commission review these defences in domestic homicide trials.

“It was these partial defences that allowed Robert Brown to be given a manslaughter sentence in the tragic killing of Joanna Simpson.

“The Foundation is encouraged to see the Lord Chancellor is taking action in these areas of the law to ensure tougher sentencing is implemented to those who commit violence against ex-partners.

“However, we will continue to campaign to ensure this review results in the right change to stop more men getting away with murder.

“We have also asked the Lord Chancellor to change the release conditions for killers who successfully argue diminished responsibility so their release is always subject to psychological assessment.

“This change has not been accepted as part of this announcement and we will continue to campaign for this important anomaly to be addressed to better protect the public.”

Joanna was bludgeoned to death by estranged husband Brown in 2010.

He is entitled to release without parole this year.