Congham man Douglas Clifton Brown found guilty of attempted murder after trying to push woman down well

A man who threatened to throw his former partner down a well on his country estate has been found guilty of attempted murder.

The trial held at Norwich Crown Court heard Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, of Grimston Road in Congham, had denied trying to kill the woman on August 11, 2023, but the jury found him guilty today.

He had previously admitted grievous bodily harm with intent and making threats to kill.

The trial was told that the victim had been out with friends when Clifton Brown turned up and they left together in his car.

They argued and he punched her a number of times, saying he was going to throw her down the well and then kill himself.

When they stopped near the well in a remote wooded part of the estate, he attempted to drag her out the passenger side of the car.

She fought back and pulled her scarf around his neck, and eventually he stopped.

Shaken, she attempted to drive them both to hospital - but he said he did not want to go and would jump from the moving car.

She then let him out, driving herself to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lynn, where she shouted for help and caught the attention of a porter.

The porter called the police saying a woman had been “beaten black and blue” by her partner. The extent of her injuries meant he initially thought she had been in a car accident.

She had suffered a broken finger, fractured eye socket and a broken nose.

Clifton Brown was arrested at his home at 2.10am.

He claimed it was the victim who had attacked him, and that he only hit her in self defence.

The forensic evidence told a different story.

Det Con Gary Ranger said: “This has been an extremely traumatic time for the victim and I hope today’s conviction will help her as she continues to process what happened to her.

“This was a sustained and terrifying attack during which the victim fought for her life. Had she not been able to subdue him using the scarf she is certain she would not be here today.

“Clifton Brown tried to blame her for the assault and tried to vacate his guilty plea to the GBH and the threats to kill. He 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 March 13 at Norwich Crown Court.