After being released on bail and murdering his new fiancée in Stirling a few weeks later, the offender was sentenced to a minimum of 23 years in prison.
Relationship and Troubling Behavior
When Christopher McGowan was granted permission to reside in the flat that Claire Inglis shared with her infant son, the couple had been together for eight weeks.
Court Proceedings and Jury Verdict
Juror Michael O’Grady characterized McGowan’s conduct as “extraordinarily sadistic” while imposing a life sentence.
According to him, Ms. Inglis was subjected to “nothing short of torture” at my hands by McGowan.
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Capturing the severity of the harm you inflicted upon her proved to be challenging. “You have not even exhibited a trace of distress, regret, or emotion,” the judge further stated.
Inglis’ family, who attended the trial at Edinburgh’s High Court, cried at McGowan’s judgement.
“The anguish of living without her” was what her family and friends faced, the court said.
He further stated, “I shudder to think of what her final moments were like.” To label your actions as sadistic is a gross understatement.
“It was beyond sadistic.”
McGowan, 28, was released from prison and forced to live in Ms. Inglis’ housing association unit with a 21:00–07:00 curfew.
The court was informed that McGowan was granted parole following the death of his mother, on the grounds that he did not wish to be restrained while attending her funeral.
He said the couple had a “positive” connection and would quit drinking and Valium.
After moving into Ms Inglis’ property, he proceeded to pawn her belongings, which included a watch that she had acquired on her 21st birthday and a PlayStation belonging to her son.
He strangled the 28-year-old mother of one, burnt her with a lighter, and pushed a damp cloth down her mouth.
Two hours passed before the jury found McGowan guilty of homicide.
Despite his initial assertion that he was acting in self-defense, he later recanted that claim throughout the trial.
His recollection of the evening of the homicide varied, spanning from asserting that Ms. Inglis had tumbled down the stairs of her flat to claiming that he had attempted to save her life while she overdosed on Valium.
A taxi driver who picked up McGowan and Ms. Inglis in Stirling city centre the night before testified at trial that McGowan murmured “I’ll kill you” under his breath after Ms. Inglis exited the vehicle.
She received 76 injuries as a result of the assault. These included several blunt force wounds to the head and face and nearly complete cranial bruises.
Criminal History and Sentencing Remarks
Three of McGowan’s forty prior convictions were for assault. Five bail orders had been imposed on him at the time of Ms. Inglis’ homicide.
An additional eighteen months were spent in prison for assault and larceny.
The judge stated during McGowan’s sentencing, “It is evident that you have attempted to downplay your involvement and have accepted no responsibility.”
Following his conviction, McGowan expressed regret to social workers, which the judge called “a self-serving tissue of lies.”
A Scottish government spokesperson stated that courts have the authority to independently determine whether to grant parole prior to trial or impose a sentence, taking into account the specific facts and circumstances of the case at hand.
