A man who tried to throw his former partner down a 20ft well on the grounds of his family estate has been found guilty of her attempted murder.
A guy who attempted to toss his former partner into a disused well on the grounds of his family’s estate has been convicted of her attempted murder.
Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, assaulted Camilla Welby as they left a gathering at a friend’s house in west Norfolk in August 2023.
According to Norwich Crown Court, Clifton Brown drove Ms Welby to the High House Estate in Congham, near King’s Lynn, which his family used as a wedding site.
He confessed committing grievous bodily injury with the intent to cause serious hurt and threatening to murder.
The court heard that Clifton Brown, of Grimston Road, Congham, and Ms Welby had been together for 15 years but were separated at the time of the incident.
Clifton Brown, an Old Etonian whose grandfather was Norfolk’s high sheriff, comes from a family that has produced several Members of Parliament.
At around 22:30 BST on August 11, 2023, the court heard that the couple was returning to their respective homes following a drinks party.
In her summary remarks, Judge Alice Robinson stated that Clifton Brown became confrontational during an argument while driving, which escalated into an assault.
He threw “numerous strikes to her face” and threatened to throw her down the well “to kill her, then kill himself”.
The court previously heard that on reaching the well, Clifton Brown attempted to drag Miss Welby from the car but she was able to stop the attack by wrapping her scarf around his neck.
Ms Welby suffered a fractured nose, as well as a broken finger and extensive bruising to her head and face, and was treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.
A statement from a hospital porter said they saw that Ms Welby’s face was bloodied and swollen and thought she may have been in a car accident.
Norfolk Police said Clifton Brown was arrested at his home at 02:10.
During a police interview she 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.
‘Flawed individual’
The defense contended that it was “completely impractical” for Clifton Brown to desire to kill his former partner in the well, the court said.
However, the prosecution “drew attention to the fact he (Clifton Brown) filled the well that morning,” the court stated.
According to the judge, a police officer calculated that the water in the well was 12 feet below the top.
She stated Clifton Brown was “horrified” about what he had done following the attack.
The defendant had already admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and making a threat to murder.
His defense attorney referred to him as a “flawed individual, not a killer.”
Following five hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously found him guilty of attempted murder.
Det Con Gary Ranger of Norfolk Police stated, “This was a lengthy and horrifying attack in which the victim struggled for her life.
“Clifton Brown exercised terrible brutality on his victim and is now properly imprisoned for it.
“We are committed to protecting women and girls and would encourage anyone who is a victim to come forward and please report it.”
Clifton Brown will be sentenced on March 13.
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