Murderer who ate victim's finger was Carlisle sex offender

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 16:38 · Archive

Gabriel Brown, a sex offender from Carlisle formerly known as Aaron Wright, has been convicted of murdering and mutilating a man in Annan.

Gabriel Brown, 35, murdered 58-year-old Joseph Ernest Johnston in Annan in November 2024. Brown stabbed his victim 22 times, severed and ate his finger, and then set fire to Mr Johnston's flat. He was found guilty of murder in July and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years in August.

Brown, who had previously lived in Carlisle, had previously been jailed under the name Aaron Wright for child sex offences. In 2018, he was sentenced to five years in prison for offences involving a 14-year-old girl, including sexual activity with a child and inciting her to engage in sexual activity. He was placed on the sex offenders' register for life and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Police Scotland confirmed it was aware of Brown's name change and outlined how it manages offenders in the community. A Police Scotland spokesman said that 'public safety is a top priority' and that 'robust multi-agency public protection arrangements provide a comprehensive response', with name changes being 'known, risk assessed and appropriately recorded'.

How it is being reported

• Murderer who ate victim's finger confirmed as Cumbrian sex offender under new namePolice Scotland confirms convicted murderer Gabriel Brown, formerly Aaron Wright, is a registered sex offender from Carlisle living under a new name after Annan killing.NW Evening Mail · 20 Oct, 18:12
• Murderer who ate victim's finger confirmed as Cumbrian sex offender under new namePolice Scotland confirms convicted murderer Gabriel Brown, formerly Aaron Wright, is a registered sex offender from Carlisle living under a new name after Annan killing.Westmorland Gazette · 20 Oct, 18:12
• Murderer who ate victim's finger confirmed as Cumbrian sex offender under new namePolice Scotland confirms convicted murderer Gabriel Brown, formerly Aaron Wright, is a registered sex offender from Carlisle living under a new name after Annan killing.Cumberland News · 20 Oct, 13:00

In this story: Gabriel Brown · Aaron Wright · Joseph Ernest Johnston · Police Scotland · Carlisle · Annan

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