A former contestant of the reality show Big Brother, Simone Reed, has been released from prison earlier than expected following her involvement in a violent petrol bomb attack. Reed, who made her television debut on The X Factor in 2014, was sentenced to 32 months in prison on October 9, 2023, for her role in the incident that took place on February 15, 2023, at the Peggy Junes bar in Redcar, North Yorkshire.
Reports indicate that Reed was released just two months into her sentence, allowing her to spend the holiday season with her family. Photographs obtained by The Sun show her engaging in Christmas shopping, carrying several large bags from a local store. Reed also shared a message on Facebook, stating, “Merry Christmas – back home with my babies. 2026 is going to be our year.”
In court, it was revealed that Reed had driven to a petrol station to purchase fuel for a Molotov cocktail used in an attack against the bar. She, along with her partner Carl Wild, had been denied entry to the establishment earlier that evening. Following this refusal, Wild threatened the bar owner, declaring he would “burn the place down and kill you and your kids.”
Wild subsequently ignited the petrol bomb in the street and hurled it towards a man, identified as David Brotton. The attack left Brotton with severe burns covering 20% of his body. Disturbing CCTV footage captured the moment he was engulfed in flames and struggling on the ground. The footage also showed Wild using bleach as a weapon against Brotton before he entered the bar, where he continued to assault other patrons.
The court found Wild guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent and aggravated burglary, resulting in a sentence of 13 years and six months. Judge Francis Laird described the act as “a determined act of revenge after you perceived you had been disrespected.”
Reed’s early release comes under strict conditions, as she has been placed under a Home Detention Curfew. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice stated, “Anyone released into Home Detention Curfew faces strict licence conditions and must be tagged. Those who break the rules can be returned to prison.”
As Reed navigates her reintegration into society, the impact of her actions and the seriousness of the incident remain at the forefront of public discussion. The violent nature of the attack raises questions about accountability and rehabilitation, especially in the context of reality television personalities transitioning back into everyday life.
