Bridgend man sentenced to 18 years for attempt murder

Just before 10.25pm on Monday July 10, 2023, we received a call that a 34-year-old woman had been stabbed. Firearms officers attended an address in Wildmill, Bridgend and found the victim with three stab wounds to her back. Darren Brown, aged 35 from Wildmill, was still at the scene and was promptly arrested.

Corinne Brown was taken to hospital where it was discovered that she had sustained a punctured lung. She has since made a full recovery.

Brown told officers upon his arrest that it was Corinne who had been armed with the knife and that she had caused the injuries to herself. Later in interview he stated that he had taken the knife from her and that the injuries were caused when she lunged towards him.

Corinne told police that Brown had returned home, and an argument ensued. This argument became more heated, with Brown going downstairs, and when an infant child, who was in a room upstairs, began crying Corinne went to check on them. Brown went back upstairs and, unbeknown to Corinne, was in possession of a kitchen knife. As she leaned over the cot Brown stabbed her in the back. She managed to push past Brown and get into the bathroom and lock the door but shortly afterwards he kicked the door through and continued his assault, trying to stab her in the neck and telling her to stab him and that they would ‘go together’.

During police searches of the address, it became evident that, despite no previous reports, Brown had subjected the victim to years of controlling behaviour. There were locks on the exterior of every door in the house and evidence that there had been internal CCTV cameras. One camera was hidden under the bedside table in the victim’s bedroom and left active. Investigations found that this camera, which included audio, had recorded the attack on the victim as well as the aftermath.

At trial Brown maintained that he did not intend to kill her but having listened to all of the evidence, Brown was found guilty of attempted murder.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Owain Morrison said: “This was a sustained attack which sought to take the life of Corinne Brown. The audio recording proved crucial evidence in the case as it corroborated the victim’s account and a number of key facts that she had mentioned during her interview could be heard on the recording, including the suspect kicking the bathroom door through after the victim had sought refuge there.

“Today’s sentencing shows that we, as a force, will relentlessly pursue those who perpetrate violence against women and girls and bring them to justice.”

Darren Brown was also given an indefinite restraining order to protect his victim.

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