Family of domestic abuse victim in fear after abuser released from prison early

Convicted domestic abuser Andrew Brown has been released from prison after serving less than half of his sentence for years of violently attacking his partner, Demi Hannaway.

Her family say his release has made them feel like prisoners in their own home.

Demi was a 23-year-old mum of two when she died in May 2021, apparently from suicide.

After her death, it was discovered that Brown had regularly been attacking and strangling her in their home.

In 2024, he was sent to prison for three-and-a-half years after admitting to threatening and abusive behaviour.

But although he found her body, the police accepted his explanation of suicide, and there was no forensic investigation into how Demi died.

In the years following, Demi’s family submitted a 32-point complaint to Police Scotland, which outlined key concerns about what they say the police missed at the time.

Andrew Brown has been serving a sentence for domestic abuse against Demi. ITV

Last year, ITV News carried out a series of reports on Demi’s death, uncovering new evidence of Brown’s violence and her fear.

Demi’s family continued to campaign for justice, and in February last year, they met with the Lord Advocate, who ordered a reinvestigation into her death.

While the family welcomed the reinvestigation, they say that they are now left living in fear as Brown has been released, and there have been no arrests made in relation to Demi’s death.

Helen, Demi’s mum, says this has left her family living in fear. She said: “We’re going to be looking over our shoulders. I won’t sleep at night. Who is protecting us as a family?”

Helen says the family is petrified and cannot sleep at night, thinking that Brown will be back in their community.

She says they’ve been told by Police Scotland that their address is now on emergency response measures, which means if a 999 call is made, officers should respond immediately due to a known, serious, or ongoing threat. But Helen said that is not good enough.

“We shouldn’t need to be going through this as a grieving family,” she said.

“It’s hard, and it’s unbearable, plus we’re facing all of this – it’s just adding on to the pain that we’re going through as a family.”

The family say they are disappointed after receiving assurances that they would get regular updates on the case and on Brown’s release.

But they say that hasn’t happened.

Helen added: “They (the justice system) need to see the reality of what happens to families.

“It’s like we’re just a case number, but we’re human beings.

“Demi was a person, she was here, and she’s been robbed of her life and robbed of watching her wee girls grow up to the beautiful women they are going to turn into.

“We were once a complete family, and now we’re destroyed.”

One of Demi’s younger sisters, Sarah, witnessed some of the violence Brown inflicted on Demi.

“There is no sentence that can be served for what he put her through.

“Not just for the fact that she’s not here, but for someone like Demi to live the life that she did is horrible.

“No one deserves to fear for their lives, especially not in their own home, especially not from someone she loved and thought she was loved by.

“No one deserves to go through something like that.”

Sarah and the rest of the family say they are worried about how Brown’s early release will make other victims of domestic abuse feel.

“There are other women out there that are living through this, and they must be looking and thinking ‘what is the point in me coming forward?’

“It’s failing women.”

Crown to reinvestigate death of woman four years ago STV News

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Any decision to release a prisoner is a matter for the Scottish Prison Service and other agencies.

“When any prisoner is released, Police Scotland undertakes a risk assessment and review of the circumstances, and if necessary, any individuals who may be affected will be considered as a part of an overall policing plan.”

Assistant chief constable Steve Johnson added: “We understand the significant impact Demi’s death continues to have on her family and friends and our thoughts remain very much with them.

“On the instruction of the Crown Office, a reinvestigation is being conducted by Police Scotland.

“Demi’s family have raised the matter directly with Police Scotland, who are the appropriate body to respond. The police’s reinvestigation of her death, under the direction of specialist prosecutors, is ongoing.

“Police remain in contact with Demi’s family and continue to provide updates as the reinvestigation progresses.”

The Scotish Prison Service spokesperson says it does not comment on individual cases and seeks to support all people leaving custody to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.

Demi’s family say they will never stop campaigning until they have answers as to what happened to their daughter.

ITV News has reached out to Andrew Brown for comment.