Man jailed for attempted murder of ex-partner in Congham well

BBC News

02-04-2025

A man who tried to murder his former partner by throwing her into a disused well has been jailed for 24 years.Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, attacked Camilla Welby after they left a party at a friend's house in Norfolk in August 2023.He drove her to High House Estate in Congham, near King's Lynn, which his family operated as a wedding venue, and after an argument, tried to push her down an old well. In January, he was found guilty of attempted murder, and Judge Alice Robinson said at sentencing on Friday: "It was an angry, drunken and petulant, albeit extreme, reaction."
The court previously heard Clifton Brown, of Grimston Road, Congham, and Ms Welby had been in a relationship for 15 years - but were separated at the time of the attack.He was an Old Etonian whose grandfather was the high sheriff of Norfolk, and he came from a family that has included several MPs.The court heard the pair had been to a drinks party and were driving back to a property where they lived separately at about 22:30 BST on 11 August 2023.In her summary remarks at the trial, Judge Alice Robinson said Clifton Brown had become aggressive during an argument, which then escalated.He delivered "numerous strikes to her face" and told her he would put her down the well "to kill her, then kill himself".The trial heard Clifton Brown attempted to drag Miss Welby from the car to the well, but she was able to stop the attack by wrapping her scarf around his neck.Ms Welby had a fractured nose, broken finger and extensive bruising to her head and face and was treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn.
Clifton Brown was arrested at his home at 02:10 the following day.During a police interview, Ms Welby said Clifton Brown had told her she would never see her unborn grandchildren and she believed she was going to be thrown into the well.The defence had argued using the well was "completely impractical".However, the prosecution "drew attention to the fact he [Clifton Brown] filled the well that morning", the judge said.A police officer estimated the water level was 12ft below the top, the judge added.
At sentencing, the judge added Ms Welby was "scared beyond means" and to this day struggled to drive on the route taken by Clifton Brown before the attack. "Camilla Welby suffered serious psychological harm," she said.The defendant admitted to causing grievous bodily harm with intent as well as making a threat to kill.His defence lawyer described him as a "flawed individual, not a killer".The jury found him unanimously guilty of attempted murder after five hours of deliberation.
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