Overview

• Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for attempting to murder his ex-partner, Camilla Welby, by trying to throw her into a disused well on his family estate in Norfolk.
• The attack occurred after a heated argument during a car journey in August 2023, during which Clifton Brown physically assaulted Welby, breaking her nose and fracturing her eye socket.
• Welby escaped by using her scarf to choke Clifton Brown until he passed out, later driving herself to the hospital despite her injuries.
• The court heard that Clifton Brown had a history of domestic violence, including prior incidents in 2018, and described the attempted murder as a 'sadistic' act with premeditated elements, such as filling the well with water beforehand.
• Welby continues to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and fears for her safety, while the case has drawn attention to the broader societal issue of domestic violence and the importance of victim support systems.