Timothy Brehmer’s sentence increased by the Court of Appeal
Timothy Brehmer has had his jail sentence increased after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.
Timothy Brehmer has had his jail sentence increased after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.
Brehmer, 41 years old and a serving police officer, had been conducting an affair with Claire Parry for around 10 years, but in the weeks running up to May 2020 they had argued several times.
On 9 May 2020 they met in Brehmer’s car when another argument took place, ending with Claire Parry texting Brehmer’s wife from his phone, stating that he was having an affair. During the argument that followed, Brehmer took hold of Claire Parry’s neck and compressed it with such force that she lost consciousness, causing neck injuries resulting in her death.
In an attempt to cover up his crime, Brehmer used a pocketknife to wound himself and claimed that he had been stabbed by his victim. However, he was arrested at the scene. He later retracted that statement and at his trial he sought to defend himself by claiming that he had tried to eject Claire Parry from his car, accidentally injuring her in the process.
On 28 October 2020, Brehmer was found guilty of manslaughter by the jury and sentenced to 10 Years and 6 months’ imprisonment at Winchester Crown Court.
Following the court’s decision, the sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the ULS scheme. On 19 March 2021, the Court found the sentence to be unduly lenient and increased it to 13 years and 6 months’ imprisonment.
After the hearing at the Court of Appeal the newly appointed Attorney General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, said:
Because of his actions, Claire Parry’s family have lost a wife and mother, and her community have lost a dedicated nurse. I greatly welcome the decision by the Court of Appeal today to increase Brehmer’s sentence.