Articles by Jennifer Hyland

Politics

Family of Scots woman killed by partner bailed to her home demand change in law

The parents of Claire Inglis have demanded urgent new laws after it was revealed almost half of women murdered last year were killed by their partner or ex-partner. Christopher McGowan was jailed for the brutal killing of Claire, six weeks after being freed to live at the flat she shared with her son. McGowan , who had 39 convictions, including aggravated domestic assault , had been bailed to the mum’s Stirling home three times. Claire’s parents Iain and Fiona have demanded action. Fiona said: “Every week we hear about violence against another woman, another girl. It’s an epidemic. Claire had only known McGowan for eight weeks. “In that time he was able to manipulate her, to isolate her from her family, to get into her home and then kill her. “In Claire’s case, he was granted bail to her home and it’s absolutely imperative that offenders being bailed to a house with women and children stop now. It can’t wait.” A Bill tabled by MSP Pam Gosal would mean those convicted of domestic abuse would be subject to controls similar to those on the sex offenders’ register. Last week we told how the number of female homicide victims in Scotland rose last year to 15 – seven were killed by a partner or ex. Last month, at First Minister’s Questions, Tory leader Russell Findlay urged John Swinney to release the social work report which says Claire, 28, and her son were “invisible in the system”. Findlay said a “major flaw” is that social workers “are not obliged to verify bail addresses.” Swinney later said: “If the report can be released I am very happy for that to be the case.” Justice -Secretary Angela Constance said: “The FM has written to the Lord Advocate asking if it is possible for there to be further -engagement with Mr and Mrs Inglis about the content of the social work report instructed by the Crown Office and -Procurator Fiscal Service. “We are always willing to explore any options to reduce domestic abuse.” She added a new bail test introduced in May “makes clear the court should specifically consider the protection of the victim from a risk of harm when making decisions on bail”.