12 hours ago
Tragic mother's attacker is given a taste of freedom after just one year in prison
A 'violent monster' who was jailed for abusing his partner before her death has been offered a taste of freedom – after serving just one year behind bars.
Demi Hannaway, 23, died in May 2021 after Andrew Brown throttled, spat at, and hit her countless times over two years, often in front of their children.
Last year the 33-year-old admitted abusive and threatening behaviour and was jailed for three-and-a-half years.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry initially concluded that the 23-year-old killed herself, but her parents insist Brown may have been responsible.
Now just 13 months since a Sheriff accused him of 'horrendous' crimes and sent him to jail, Brown is preparing to spend up to a week every month on home leave.
The thug has already moved to open prison Castle Huntly, where he has been allowed out to do work placements and meet with social workers.
Demi's devastated parents, who have previously campaigned for Brown to be dealt a harsher sentence, say the news has left them 'sickened to our stomachs'.
Mum Helen stressed: 'A violent monster like Brown should not be walking the streets just a year after being sentenced to almost four years in jail.
The Justice Secretary needs to answer some very tough questions on how and why this has happened.'
The decision to grant Brown additional freedoms comes after Scotland's top law officer ordered a fresh investigation into the nature of Demi's death in February.
They have criticised Police Scotland's handling of the investigation, lodging a formal complaint including claims that police took an hour to arrive and there was evidence of a violent struggle in the house.
Evidence including clumps of Demi's hair and blood splatters around the house were also ignored, as was Brown's alleged admission to attending officers that it was 'all his fault'.
The Hannaways later discovered further damning evidence of Brown's toxic relationship with Demi, which they say point to his responsibility for the young woman's death.
Facebook messages sent by Brown call his partner a 'cancerous cow' warning: 'U will get your day u evil, filthy boot. And al [sic] laugh and laugh'.
Her phone was found smashed and hidden, with the SIM card missing, raising questions over the possible existence of further abusive messages.
Dad John said: 'We've fought every inch of the way to have Demi's death re-opened because the shambolic police investigation was so deeply flawed it was nonexistent - only to discover Brown has been moved to open prison and is granted home leave.'
His wife agreed: 'We finally felt that we were being listened to after four years fighting for justice. We were hopeful, only to discover that Brown has been moved to an open prison and is being allowed out. We had not been consulted or warned. It has been a complete shock.
Labour MSP Claire Baker, who raised the family's calls for a new probe in Holyrood, added: 'It's shocking to discover Andrew Brown is getting home release barely a year into his sentence, particularly at a time when the Lord Advocate is looking again at the circumstances of Demi's death. On balance, the decision to allow home release is wrong and needs to be looked at again.'
A spokesman for the Scottish Prison Service said: 'We do not comment on individuals. Anyone assessed for temporary home leave is subject to a rigorous multiagency risk assessment and, if approved, individualised plans are put in place to meet their risks and needs.'
They explained that prisoners at Castle Huntly are assessed and 'tested' in the community as they prepare for release, and are often subject to strict curfews and geographic restrictions.
