News / Hubert Brown
Family ‘demand justice’ after Hubert Brown’s racist killer shows ‘complete lack of remorse’
The family of Hubert ‘Isaac’ Brown have paid tribute to him following his “incomprehensible” death and say they still “demand the justice he deserves” after his killer was handed a hospital order rather than being sent to prison.
The 61-year-old from Easton was stabbed to death in a racist attack on Grosvenor Road in St Paul’s in September 2023.
Brown’s cousin, Dion Johnson, read the family’s victim personal statement in Bristol Crown Court after Christina Howell, 37, of Bates Close in Easton, was given a hospital order under the Mental Health Act. Howell had admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
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Dion said that to to know Isaac “was to know warmth, laughter and love”.
She said: “The pain of his absence is unbearable, and the circumstances of his death remain incomprehensible. Accepting that Isaac is no longer with us is a challenge we face every day.
“Isaac… never had a bad word to say about anyone and he always saw the good in everyone… He always made everyone else feel special. He remembered the minutiae about everyone. When he spoke to you, it felt like he really knew you.
“Isaac always wanted to give to the people around him… He was generous with what he had, as well as with his time…
“Isaac was the kind of cousin who always checked on you, called you to see how you were doing, made sure everything was good in your life.
“He loved his family, friends and community fiercely. He will be remembered as a kind and reliable man: the type of person you could always call if you needed help with anything.”
Hubert ‘Isaac’ Brown was the middle of seven siblings, a brother, son, uncle, cousin and a dear friend to many – photo: family
Dion added: “We never got to say goodbye to our beloved Isaac. He was stolen from all of us – a cruel, senseless act that had left an irreplaceable void in our family. He did nothing to deserve his fate…
“We now have to grapple with the unimaginable loss of someone who meant so much to us… Ordinary moments of joy will now carry a heavy silence, for Isaac will never again be part of those cherished memories.
“Despite the time that has passed, the wounds of his brutal murder remain as raw as ever.
“We struggle to comprehend the horror he must have endured in his final moments. The shock, fear and the helplessness he must have felt will haunt us forever.
“Our family is traumatised by the knowledge that he died so violently and so senselessly. Losing him in such savage circumstances is unbearable. We wish that Isaac could have been protected against this terrible violence.
“Each crown court hearing has felt like a further blow to the family as we witness the complete lack of remorse from Christina Howell.
“It is important to us that other vulnerable people are now protected from this woman’s hatred…
“To know those (racist words uttered by Howell) were some of the last words Isaac heard before he dies causes us all unbearable pain.”
“Isaac was more than a statistic, more than another victim of racist violence. His memory deserves respect, and his loss must not be in vain…
“As a family, we are doing our best to support one another through this harrowing time, holding on to the memories of Isaac’s laughter and the joy he brought to all our lives.
“To the community and to those who went above and beyond to assist in Isaac’s final moments, including Dad’s Cabs and those who restrained Christina Howell, we offer our deepest gratitude. Your bravery and compassion mean more to us than words can express.
“This tragedy has left us broken, but we will not let Isaac’s memory fade. We will carry him with us, honour his life and demand the justice he deserves. We will never stop mourning our Isaac.”
Isaac was killed on Grosvenor Road on September 29 2023 – photo: Mia Vines Booth
Isaac was peacefully sitting on a wall at about 3.20pm when Howell launched her unprovoked attack using offensive racist language.
He died from a single stab wound and Howell was arrested for his murder.
Earlier that day, Howell, who had struggled with her mental health for more than 20 years, told her community mental health nurse at her home that she was going to kill a “Jamaican drug dealer”.
The nurse left Howell’s home and called 999 to raise his concerns with the police.
Witnesses in Grosvenor Road said they saw Howell “walking with real purpose” towards Isaac, using racially offensive language before launching the unprovoked attack.
Bristol Crown Court heard that four psychiatrists agreed that Howell was suffering from a mental health condition and that the disorder substantially impeded her judgement, rational decision-making and control.
Judge Peter Blair described Howell’s action as “an appalling crime of manslaughter”.
“It was a racist attack. Let’s make no bones about it. The impact on other people of that being associated with your actions makes it all the more aggravated and hurtful…
“All four experts… are agreed that prison would not protect the public or support your treatment.
“That must sound very weak to those who are the victims in the community of this.
“A hospital order sounds lenient. I hope during this hearing it has become a little clearer that a hospital order in fact may well last much longer in terms of its restriction of your freedom in a secure or medium-secure unit where you don’t have freedom to do what you want.”
Isaac’s family said that to to know him “was to know warmth, laughter and love” – photo: family
Vicky Gleave, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS South West, said that “we recognise that this violent, racist crime has had a profound impact, not just on his family and friends, but on the whole community”.
“We have met with Mr Brown’s family and community members to explain our decision-making.
“Our thoughts remain with all those who loved and cared for Mr Brown at this extremely difficult time.”
Avon & Somerset Police detective inspector Nadine Partridge said Howell carried out “an unprovoked, senseless and vile racist attack on a man who was simply going about his life, a man who did nothing wrong”.
She said: “While we respect the decision of the court, today’s sentence is not the outcome Isaac’s family had hoped for and certainly not the justice they feel he deserved…
“This has been a heart-breaking case, and this sentence may not feel like justice, but our hope is that today brings some measure of peace to Isaac’s loved ones.”
In a statement, Temba Mahari and Alex Raikes from Stand Against Racism & Inequality (SARI) said:
“SARI sends our heartfelt sympathies to the Brown family, who we continue to support as they seek justice in Isaac’s name.
“Isaac, affectionately known to his family and friends as a kind-hearted, gentle and spiritual man, was murdered in an act of senseless and racially motivated violence.
“In the final moments before his life was taken, racist language was used. This was not just a tragic loss, it was a hate crime that has left an irreplaceable void in his family and community.
“We were contacted by Isaac’s family shortly after his death and have stood by them as they’ve navigated the immense trauma of losing someone so beloved in such a cruel way.
“Throughout the judicial process, we have provided support and continue to do so to ensure that the racial motivation of this attack is properly recognised and addressed.
“We stand with his family in their grief and in their determination to see justice done.
“We will honour Isaac’s memory by continuing to fight for a society where no one is targeted for the colour of their skin, their beliefs or their identity.
“SARI will not stop working until this country truly stands against racism and inequality, and until no family has to endure the pain that the Brown family now carries.”
Main photo: Avon & Somerset Police
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