Woman sentenced over racist killing of man in Bristol
Hubert Brown was stabbed in what police described as a race hate crime
Last updated 25th Apr 2025
A woman from Easton has been given a hospital order, having admitted the killing of Hubert Brown in an unprovoked, racist attack Bristol.
Christina Howell, 37, stabbed Mr Brown on Grosvenor Road in broad daylight, in September 2023, in what police described as a race hate crime.
Howell pleaded guilty in court to manslaughter by diminished responsibility on the grounds of a medical condition that substantially impaired her judgement.
In his closing statements, the judge said this was 'a racist attack, make no bones about it'.
Outside court, the family of Hubert Brown, who was affectionately known as Isaac, paid tribute to 'a warm, gentle pillar of the community'.
His cousin, Dion Johnson, read their victim personal statement to the court.
“To know him was to know warmth, laughter and love. The pain of his absence is unbearable, and the circumstances of his death remain incomprehensible. Accepting that Isaac is no longer with us is a challenge we face every day.
“Isaac … never had a bad word to say about anyone and he always saw the good in everyone … He always made everyone else feel special. He remembered the minutiae about everyone. When he spoke to you, it felt like he really knew you.
“Isaac always wanted to give to the people around him … He was generous with what he had, as well as with his time … Isaac was the kind of cousin who always checked on you, called you to see how you were doing, made sure everything was good in your life.
“He loved his family, friends and community fiercely. He will be remembered as a kind and reliable man: the type of person you could always call if you needed help with anything.”
Having suffered experienced mental health problems all her life, Christina Howell will be treated at a high security hospital.
Vicky Gleave, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West, said: “Hubert Brown’s death was a tragic and deeply distressing crime and our thoughts remain with his family as they mourn their loss.
“There can be no doubt that Christina Howell unlawfully killed Mr Brown and that this was a race-hate crime.
“We accepted the plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after a review of comprehensive medical evidence from two independent experts. This concluded that Christina Howell was suffering from a medical condition that substantially impaired her judgement and that she would not have attacked and killed Hubert Brown had she not been mentally ill.
“The legal bar to accepting such a plea is very high and we have to be sure that a jury presented with all the evidence would reach the same conclusion. We are certain this high bar was met in this case.
“Mr Brown was a much-loved member of the community, and we recognise that this violent, racist crime has had a profound impact, not just on his family and friends, but on the whole community. We have met with Mr Brown’s family and community members to explain our decision-making.
“Our thoughts remain with all those who loved and cared for Mr Brown at this extremely difficult time.”
Members of Stand Against Racism & Inequality also read a statement outside court:
“SARI sends our heartfelt sympathies to the Brown family, who we continue to support as they seek justice in Isaac’s name.
“Isaac, affectionately known to his family and friends as a kind-hearted, gentle, and spiritual man, was murdered in an act of senseless and racially motivated violence. In the final moments before his life was taken, racist language was used. This was not just a tragic loss, it was a hate crime that has left an irreplaceable void in his family and community.
“We were contacted by Isaac’s family shortly after his death and have stood by them as they’ve navigated the immense trauma of losing someone so beloved in such a cruel way.
“Throughout the judicial process, we have provided support and continue to do so to ensure that the racial motivation of this attack is properly recognised and addressed.
“We stand with his family in their grief and in their determination to see justice done. We will honour Isaac’s memory by continuing to fight for a society where no one is targeted for the colour of their skin, their beliefs, or their identity.
“SARI will not stop working until this country truly stands against racism and inequality, and until no family has to endure the pain that the Brown family now carries.”