'Sadistic' killer given minimum 23-year sentence after murdering Stirling mum Claire Inglis

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An evil murderer who killed his partner in a brutal attack in Stirling has been labelled "beyond sadistic" by a judge as he was sentenced to serve a minimum of 23 years for the crime.Christopher McGowan, 28, choked partner Claire Inglis, 28, with a baby lighter and burned her with a lighter during an assault in November 2021 at her home in St Ninians.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 of the offences at the High Court in Stirling in a seven-day trial last month.On Wednesday, McGowan appeared before judge Michael O’Grady KC at the High Court in Edinburgh for sentencing.Sentence had been deferred for the court to obtain a background report on McGowan.The court heard how McGowan now accepted full responsibility for murdering Claire.

The court also heard that he wept when speaking about what he had done to her.But judge O’Grady told McGowan that he would go to prison for a minimum of 23 years and said it was clear he wasn’t truly remorseful for taking her life.Passing sentence, judge O’Grady said: “I further have to take into account your attitude towards the appalling crime you have committed.“The background report which I have before me - remarkably - suggests that you accept full responsibility and that during interview you showed remorse and regret.“Let me deal with that.

It is clear that you accept no responsibility. Indeed in interview you have gone to great lengths to minimise and deny your responsibility for Claire`s death.“And as for your remorse and regret, I have watched you carefully throughout these proceedings.“Even in the face of the most