A man has been found guilty of attempted murder after attacking his former partner and attempting to throw her into a disused well on his family’s estate. Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, assaulted Camilla Welby following a party in west Norfolk in August 2023. Norwich Crown Court heard that Clifton Brown drove Welby to the High House Estate at Congham, near King’s Lynn, which his family operated as a wedding venue. He confessed to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and making a threat to kill.
Clifton Brown, an Old Etonian with a family history of political involvement in Norfolk, and Welby had been in a relationship for 15 years, though they were separated at the time of the attack. The court was told that after a party, the pair were returning to their respective homes when an argument broke out and escalated into violence. Clifton Brown repeatedly struck Welby in the face and threatened to throw her down the well to kill her and then himself.
Despite the defense arguing that it was not feasible for Clifton Brown to carry out the murder in the well, the prosecution highlighted the fact that Clifton Brown had filled the well earlier that day. Welby managed to defend herself by using her scarf to halt the assault. She sustained injuries including a fractured nose, a broken finger, and extensive bruising. Clifton Brown was arrested at his residence later that night.
During a police interview, Welby revealed that Clifton Brown had threatened her and made ominous statements about her future grandchildren. The court heard that Clifton Brown expressed remorse for his actions after the attack, with his defense portraying him as a “flawed individual, not a killer.” Following five hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously found him guilty of attempted murder.
Detective Constable Gary Ranger of Norfolk Police described the assault as “sustained and terrifying,” emphasizing the importance of supporting victims and reporting such incidents. Clifton Brown is set to be sentenced on 13 March.
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