Domestic abuse charity calls for end to violence against women as murderer caged for 23 years

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A charity which supports women facing domestic abuse in Stirling says violence against women must end after the sentencing of a brute who murdered his partner in a “sadistic” attack at her St Ninians home.Christopher McGowan, 28, choked partner Claire Inglis, 28, with a baby wipe and burned her with a lighter during an assault in November 2021 at her home in St Ninians.The attack was labelled as “beyond sadistic” by a judge earlier this week, with McGowan sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years for the crime.

McGowan, who had been released on bail to Claire’s address just weeks earlier, left the mum with more than 76 injuries, including bleeding inside her skull and extensive injuries to her neck.

He was convicted at the High Court in Stirling following a seven-day trial last month.Claire had been the victim of abuse at the hands of McGowan during the relationship and following the sentencing, Stirling and District Women’s Aid said they had been left “saddened” by the circumstances surrounding Claire’s death.The charity has been providing valuable support to women, children and vulnerable people who have experienced, or are experiencing, domestic abuse in the Stirling area since starting up in 1976 and said cases are still tragically common.A spokesperson said: “The murder of Claire Inglis has shocked and saddened us all.

This horrendous crime was the result of domestic abuse.“While the sentence has been passed and the perpetrator will be imprisoned for a minimum of 23 years, we are faced with the fact that there is no period of time long enough to reflect the devastation he caused by choosing to end Claire’s life.“As a service supporting women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, we