Murderer and rapist, George Browne, 53, has been apprehended by the Sussex Police after being spotted in Brighton.
Browne was convicted for the horrifying murder of 71-year-old Audrey Pearce back in February 1998, within her own Dudley Council warden-controlled flat. Browne was imprisoned for when the heinous act of, strangling Pearce to death while raping her.
The High Court was told how on the night of the murder he drank a considerable amount before following his victim out of a public house at 11.30pm. A male companion of the victim is believed to advised her to have no contact with Browne, who had been pursuing her in an attempt to engage Pearce in conversation.
The High Court judge, Mr Justice Irwin said: “However, the victim ignored that advice and admitted this defendant to her flat.
“He forced her on to a bed in the flat, raped her and throttled her as he was raping her.”
The Home Secretary at the time sentenced Browne to life imprisonment, stipulating a 20-year minimum tariff before he would become eligible for early release on parole.
However, Browne was wanted on an emergency recall to prison after breaching the terms of his licence. Authorities launched Operation Spruce, an urgent manhunt to locate Browne, issuing a public appeal for information on his whereabouts on Tuesday 13 June.
The Suffolk native had last been seen a week prior, on Tuesday 6 June. Sussex Police provided a detailed description of the 53-year-old, stating he was white, of slim to average build, stood 5ft 10in, bald on top with receding hair, and spoke with an Irish accent. The public was urged to immediately call 999 if they spotted him.
In a success for Operation Spruce, Browne was located and detained by officers in Brighton, confirming earlier beliefs about his location. Sussex Police announced the conclusion of their urgent manhunt, stating: “Wanted man George Browne has been located and arrested by officers in Brighton.”
The convicted murderer and rapist, now 53, is back in custody for not complying with the terms of his licence.
