Former Dorset Police officer jailed for manslaughter

Timothy Brehmer, aged 41, was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Wednesday (October 28). He was found not guilty of a charge of murder following a trial at the same court, having previously entered a guilty plea to manslaughter.

Officers from Dorset Police were called to the car park of the Horns Inn in Christchurch Road at 3.39pm on Saturday, May 9, 2020, following a report from the ambulance service of two people requiring medical assistance.

Ms Parry – who was known to the defendant and had arranged to meet him at the car park – was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital for medical treatment but died in hospital the following morning. A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of death was a brain injury caused by compression of her neck.

Brehmer – who was a serving police constable with Dorset Police seconded to the National Police Air Service (NPAS) at the time of the incident – was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and taken to Poole Hospital for treatment to injuries to his arms, which were believed to be self-inflicted. He was later released from hospital and following the death of Ms Parry, he was further arrested on suspicion of murder and subsequently charged.

During the trial, Brehmer admitted that his unlawful actions had caused the death of Ms Parry. However, he stated that he did not intend to kill or seriously harm her at the time her injuries were inflicted.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Mr Justice Jacobs said that – having considered all the evidence in the case – he was sentencing Brehmer on the basis that he lost his self-control following Ms Parry sending a text message to his wife revealing their affair, rather than on the basis that he had not intended to kill or seriously harm his victim.

Brehmer was not on duty at the time of the incident. He was dismissed from the force following a misconduct hearing on Wednesday September 16, 2020.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Dixey, of the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), said: “Timothy Brehmer’s criminal actions on Saturday May 9, 2020, have had a devastating impact on a number of people, particularly the family of Claire Parry and her loved ones.

“Our thoughts remain with all those affected and I would again like to thank Claire’s family for their support throughout the investigation and trial process. I can only hope that the conclusion of the court proceedings is of some comfort to them.”

However, Ms Parry’s husband, Andrew, who also serves as an officer with Dorset Police, said: “I am incredibly disappointed at the verdict of this trial. I believe Brehmer’s account of that day to be inconsistent and untruthful.

“As the murder trial heard, he conducted a factory reset on his mobile telephone which has hindered the police investigation and leaves us with an incomplete picture of events on that day.

“I feel we will never truly know exactly what happened.

“What we do know is that Brehmer used such force against Claire that she suffered fractures to her neck, lost consciousness, went into cardiac arrest and eventually died.

“Having used that amount of force, he has failed to render any assistance to her which could have saved her life. As a trained police officer, he would have had the ability to do this.

“Instead, he chose to tell lies from the moment he was discovered by witnesses, stating that Claire had stabbed him. He has since admitted that this was a lie and that he inflicted those injuries on himself. This lie led to a delay in Claire receiving what could have been lifesaving treatment, a fact that remains incredibly distressing.

“Brehmer is a well-practiced liar with years of experience. He has shown himself – as the trial exposed – to be consistently dishonest, deceitful and devious. We do not accept his version of events and all the inconsistencies that it contains.”

Mr Parry added: “I would like to thank all the First Responders, Police and Crown Prosecution Service staff involved in the case. I would also like to thank the Judge for his consideration during sentencing. I am aware that it has been very difficult for everyone involved in dealing with an incident that is so close to home.

“Claire was a caring nurse practitioner who helped many people in a career of over 20 years. She was a loving family member and a doting mother who leaves behind two young children.

“Her energy and enthusiasm for life were infectious and our lives are poorer without her in them.

“This trial has been a horrendous ordeal for all of Claire’s family and friends. We ask that our privacy is respected while we try to rebuild our lives.”