Former councillor Darren Brown has been sentenced to 18 years for the attempted murder of his wife, Corinne Brown, after he stabbed her three times during a violent escalation of their domestic disputes. The attack occurred at their home in Wildmill, Bridgend, on July 10, 2023, as Corinne was comforting their baby, who had been disturbed by their argument.
At the time of the stabbing, Brown was serving as an independent member of the Bridgend Town Council. The court revealed troubling details about the couple's relationship, which had become increasingly strained. According to evidence presented at the trial, the couple had separated but continued to live together, leading to frequent arguments, primarily stemming from Corinne's feelings of having fallen out of love.
During the sentencing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Jenkins described the assault as "brutal" and labeled it the "ultimate act of cowardice". He highlighted how Brown attacked his wife when she was ‘defenceless,’ stating, "as she put the dummy in her child's mouth, she was not ready to defend herself." The court was told she sustained serious injuries, including three stab wounds to her back, which resulted in a punctured lung.
Following the attack, Brown attempted to shift the blame to Corinne, initially claiming she had attacked him, asserting she was armed and had inflicted the injuries upon herself. This narrative changed during police interviews, where he backtracked to say he had taken the knife from her. Eventually, he pled guilty to wounding with intent but denied attempted murder, which the jury found unconvincing.
Corinne Brown, who has since recovered, later provided a harrowing victim impact statement to the court, saying, "I suffer flashbacks and nightmares and can still feel pain when Darren stabbed me. I know Darren was hurting. But I didn’t deserve what he did to me." Her powerful words conveyed the emotional and psychological scars left by the attack, emphasizing the trauma endured by her and their children, who are too young to grasp the severity of the situation. "One day I will have to explain to them what their father tried to do to me," she wrote.
Investigators uncovered disturbing evidence of long-standing controlling behavior by Brown. The police discovered locks on the exterior of all doors within their home and internal CCTV cameras, including one secretly placed under the bedside table, which recorded audio evidence corroborative of Corinne’s account of the night. This recording captured moments of the attack and even included Brown kicking the bathroom door as his wife sought refuge.
Detective Inspector Owain Morrison stated, "The audio recording proved to be pivotal evidence. It corroborated various key facts recounted by Corinne during her interview and underscored the violent nature of the incident. This sentence shows our commitment to pursuing justice for victims of domestic violence."
The court also heard about the tense atmosphere created by Brown's jealousy, particularly concerning Corinne's new partner after their separation. Judge Jenkins noted this jealousy likely fueled the violent incident on the night of the stabbing. He firmly asserted, "Your intention to kill her was clear," underscoring the dangerous mentality exhibited by Brown through his actions on and leading up to the fateful evening.
Hannah West from the Crown Prosecution Service added, "This was not only shocking but also deliberate violence. The evidence demonstrated Brown had premeditated the attack, and any one of the wounds inflicted could have proven fatal." West expressed hope the victim could find solace knowing her attacker would face consequences for his actions.
Brown's sentence requires him to serve at least two-thirds of his 18-year sentence before eligibility for release, with the court imposing a lifelong restraining order preventing him from contacting Corinne or approaching her workplace or residences. Following his arrest, he resigned from his position on the council, indicating the significant embarrassment and fallout from his violent conduct.
The tragic case highlights the depths of domestic violence and how individuals can fall victim to their partners unexpectedly, sparking conversations about support systems and preventive measures needed to combat such behavior in all communities. The police reiterated their pledge to pursue those who inflict violence against women and girls, asserting the urgency to address domestic violence comprehensively and effectively.
Corinne Brown's recovery, both physically and emotionally, remains supported by her children, who serve as her motivation to continue moving forward from the nightmare she endured. Her statement reflects resilience and the hope for her children's futures, free from such darkness and violence.
