The parents of Angus jockey Jan Wilson have spoken of their “relief” that justice had been served after the conviction of a Scottish labourer for the killing of their teenage daughter and a young Irish colleague in a North Yorkshire fire last year.
Following a 19-day trial at Leeds Crown Court, and after almost 20 hours of deliberation, a jury convicted Peter Brown originally from Dyce near Aberdeen of the manslaughter of 19-year-old Miss Wilson, from Greenhead Farm, Forfar, and Jamie Kyne, of County Galway (18), both rising stars in a racing world rocked by the tragedy.
In a joint statement the victims’ families said their lives had been shattered by Brown’s evil and senseless actions.
Jan’s parents Drew and Margaret told The Courier that while nothing could bring their daughter back, they were relieved the court ordeal was over and satisfied the jury’s decision would see justice served for their daughter.
The conclusion to the case on Thursday came almost exactly a year on from the family’s celebration of Jan’s first race win, and her parents spoke of their depth of loss for a daughter who was “a dream come true and a gift which we were privileged to enjoy for 19 years.”
Mr Wilson said, “We are just glad it is over.
“We are happy with the result and I think the prosecution is happy with the result. It has been a long trial, but the wait was worth it.”Memories will live onThe families’ joint statement said, “Peter Brown has robbed us of two wonderful young people who had so much to live for. When Jan and Jamie died, a part of each one of us died with them.
“He has left us all shattered and our lives will never be the same again.
“We are pleased that he has now been held accountable for the devastating events of last September however, no punishment will ever bring Jan and Jamie back.
“They have both been denied a great future and lifestyle in a sport they loved so much and had triumphed in.
“Brown may have taken away Jan and Jamie but he cannot take away our memories.
“We would like to thank everyone involved in bringing the case to trial and ensuring that justice was done for Jan and Jamie. Our thanks go to everyone who has helped and supported us through the past eight months, in particular the Injured Jockeys Fund.”
The families added, “We must now try to rebuild lives and ensure the memories of Jan and Jamie live on.”
The court heard that Brown, high on a cocktail of alcohol and cocaine, had set a fire in the communal entrance to the Norton block in an act of revenge after being refused entry to a party in one of the flats.
After the alarm was raised in the early hours of September 5, residents managed to flee the blazing building some by climbing down drainpipes or leaping to safety from upper-storey windows.
Tragically, Jan and Jamie did not escape and died as a result.”No remorse”Brown, of Brotherton, North Yorkshire, was charged with two counts of murder, two counts of manslaughter and one of arson with intent to endanger life.
The jury of six men and six women cleared the self-confessed drunk of murder but convicted him of the manslaughter of the two young jockeys.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Carey, the senior investigating officer in the inquiry, said, “I am very satisfied with the guilty verdict in this extremely tragic case.
“Peter Brown has shown little or no remorse, let alone an admission of his guilt, throughout the investigation and now the trial.
“It is perhaps telling that he did not want to be confronted with questions as to what he did and why,” added Mr Carey, after Brown’s refusal to give evidence in his defence.
He said, “The fact that he took this decision is of little comfort to Jan’s and Jamie’s families who are still left wondering why the fire was started.
“Today Brown has to finally face up to the consequences of his actions.”
Mr Carey said, “I can only hope that today’s verdict will offer a small source of comfort to both Jamie’s and Jan’s loved ones. But nothing can ever bring them back.”
District crown prosecutor for the CPS, Jan Hills, said, “Peter Brown’s act of revenge robbed the families of Jan Wilson and Jamie Kyne of their loved ones and sadly deprived the sporting world of two rising talents.
“In setting fire to the block of flats he cruelly snuffed out that youthful potential, all for the sake of a perceived slight after being refused access to a party.”
Mrs Justice Nicola Davies adjourned sentencing until next month for the preparation of reports in relation to Brown, telling the killer she required “full information about the danger you pose.”
She told the families of the jockeys, “You have attended every day, my thanks to you for the dignity you have shown.”