Tragic Claire Inglis was murdered by evil Christopher McGowan

Heartbroken family of murdered Claire Inglis still 'begging for answers' three years after her death

by · Daily Record

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Exactly three years on from the horrific murder of a young Stirling mum at the hands of her abusive partner, her family have continued their search for answers at Holyrood today.

Claire Inglis, 28, was brutally attacked and killed at her St Ninians flat by evil Christopher McGowan in on November 28, 2021.

McGowan, who was Claire’s partner, was jailed for a minimum 23 years for abusing and torturing her to death.

During the attack, McGowan battered and throttled Claire, before burning her face with a lighter and choking her with a wet wipe.

After the conviction, it was revealed McGowan had 39 different convictions for a string of offences including violence and ­aggravated domestic assault.

Claire’s parents Fiona and Ian have led calls for a public inquiry into their daughter’s murder as the brute was bailed to live with Claire and her son and social services had raised concerns over McGowan.

They had also tried to visit the flat three days before the murder, but found nobody was there.

Claire Inglis' heartbroken parents, Fiona and Ian, are still waiting for answers three years on from her death (Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay grilled First Minister John Swinney in Holyrood on Thursday.

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In the First Minister’s Questions session, Mr Findlay asked: “Claire Inglis was tortured and murdered in the home she shared with her young son.

“Her killer had been bailed from court five times despite dozens of convictions, Social Services tried but failed to warn Claire that she was in danger.

First Minister John Swinney was asked how long Claire's shattered family will have to wait for answers (Image: Getty Images)
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay called for John Swinney to push for answers over the murder of Claire Inglis (Image: Getty Images)

“Claire’s parents Fiona and Ian are still fighting for answers and I previously raised their plight with the First Minister and his predecessor.

“They say: “We should not have to come to Parliament again and on the third anniversary of our beloved daughter’s murder, to beg the First Minister for answers.

“We feel trapped and unable to move on because we continue to be deprived of basic, but vital, information.”

He added: “So can the FM tell Fiona and Ian how much longer they must wait for the answers they deserve?”

Christopher McGowan was found guilty at the High Court in Stirling of murdering Claire Inglis (Image: Central Scotland News Agency)

In response, Mr Swinney expressed his “deepest sympathies” for Claire’s family over the loss of their daughter.

He added: “We’ve taken steps to ask Stirling Council to undertake further examination and explanation of the issues involved and to engage directly with Claire’s parents.

“I remain committed to ensuring the family receive the answers they understandably deserve.”

Stirling Council have been contacted for comment.

It is understood that Claire's parents did have the opportunity to meet with Mr Swinney after FMQs to discuss the ongoing situation.

In May, McGowan’s appeal against his 23-year sentence for the crime was thrown out by judges at the Court of Appeal in Edinburgh, with a campaign now launched to stop violent offenders being bailed back to the homes of vulnerable women.

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