Manslaughter Sentence Hiked After Woman’s Death in Dorset
Timothy Brehmer has had his jail term upped from 10-and-a-half to 13-and-a-half years. The former Hampshire man admitted manslaughter over the death of 41-year-old Claire Parry in Dorset on May 9. He had claimed she died accidentally during a “kerfuffle” in his car.
Court Says Original Sentence Too Lenient
Brehmer pleaded guilty before his trial at Salisbury Crown Court, where a jury found him not guilty of murder. But the Attorney General’s Office stepped in, referring the case to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentence scheme.
Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett slammed the original sentencing judge for downplaying key aggravating factors. He also slammed the “too large” discount given for Brehmer’s guilty plea, pointing out it didn’t lessen the crime’s impact on victims or save witnesses from taking the stand.
“The offender’s conduct and lies after the attack were reprehensible and calculated to deflect attention from what he had done,” Lord Burnett said.
Family and Officials React to Sentence Increase
Attorney General Michael Ellis QC welcomed the tougher sentence, saying: “Because of his actions, Claire Parry’s family have lost a wife and mother, and her community have lost a dedicated nurse.”
Claire’s husband Andrew, who called Brehmer a “well-practised liar” after the murder acquittal, had previously expressed deep disappointment. He added: “He has shown himself – as the trial exposed – to be consistently dishonest, deceitful and devious.”
The Court of Appeal also rejected Brehmer’s lawyers’ bid to reduce his sentence.
