Man guilty of attempted murder at disused well

A man who tried to throw his former partner into a disused well in the grounds of his family's estate has been found guilty of her attempted murder.

Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, attacked Camilla Welby after they left a party at a friends' house in west Norfolk in August 2023.

Norwich Crown Court heard Clifton Brown had driven Ms Welby to the High House Estate at Congham, near King's Lynn, which his family operated as a wedding venue.

He admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause serious harm as well as making a threat to kill.

The court heard Clifton Brown, of Grimston Road, Congham, and Ms Welby had been in a relationship for 15 years - but were separated at the time of the attack.

Clifton Brown, an Old Etonian whose grandfather was the high sheriff of Norfolk - came from a family that has produced several MPs.

The court heard the pair were heading back to a property where they lived separately after a drinks party at about 22:30 BST on 11 August 2023.

In her summary remarks, Judge Alice Robinson said Clifton Brown had become aggressive during an argument during the drive, which escalated into an assault.

He delivered "numerous strikes to her face" and told her he would put 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.

The defence had argued that it was "completely impractical" that Clifton Brown had wanted to kill his former partner in the well, the judge said.

However, the prosecution "drew attention to the fact he (Clifton Brown) filled the well that morning", the judge said.

A police officer estimated that the water in the well was 12ft below the top, the judge added.

She said Clifton Brown was "horrified" about what he had done, after the attack.

The defendant had already admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent as well as making a threat to kill.

His defence lawyer described him as a "flawed individual, not a killer".

The jury found him unanimously guilty of attempted murder after five hours of deliberation.

Det Con Gary Ranger, of Norfolk Police, said: "This was a sustained and terrifying attack during which the victim fought for her life.

"Clifton Brown used extreme violence against his victim and is now rightly behind bars 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 13 March.

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