The parents of murdered mum Claire Inglis have been given “fresh hope” after the First Minister promised to review their plea to hold a public inquiry into her death.
Christopher McGowan, who had 39 previous convictions, was released on bail to Claire’s home which she shared with her young son.
Six weeks later he murdered the 28-year-old in November 2021.
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Claire’s parents Ian, 60, and Fiona, 62, have repeatedly pleaded for answers over the decision to bail McGowan to her Stirling address.
After a question from Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Russell Findlay MSP at First Minister’s questions last week, Humza Yousaf promised to review Claire’s parents request for a public inquiry.
Claire’s mum Fiona, from Stirling, said: “This has given us fresh hope. We’ve been trying for two years to understand why McGowan was given bail to Claire’s home.
“Lessons need to be learned so that no other family ever has to suffer like we have.”
The move is success for a campaign for answers in the Sunday Mail and supported by the family. It’s also called for a change in the law so criminals with a record of domestic abuse are not given bail to the homes of
vulnerable women like Claire.
McGowan’s former partner, Charly Sharp, previously told us how she escaped his evil clutches.
Social workers flagged concerns over McGowan living at Claire’s home two months before the attack and visited the address three days before she was killed but could not contact her.
We previously told how McGowan, 28, who was jailed for a minimum of 23 years for murder, was subject to five bail orders when he appeared in court over her death.
Addressing Yousaf last week, Findlay said: “Ian and Fiona still don’t know why her killer was on five separate bail orders and they’ve now discovered social workers tried to warn Claire about her violent new partner but no one answered the door. And 72 hours later she was killed.
“This is not about party politics. This is about violence against women. But I would urge him again to please look at Ian and Fiona’s request for a thorough and independent review.”
In response, Yousaf said: “I will genuinely look at that request again and see what we can do in terms of any further independent review into this case.”
McGowan battered and strangled Claire before burning her face with a lighter and choking her with a wet wipe.
Jurors took less than two hours to find him guilty of murder after trial at the High Court in Stirling in September last year.
Scottish Conservative MSP Pam Gosal said: “The campaign from Claire’s family since they lost their daughter in the most horrendous circumstances has been hugely inspirational. This violent offender should never have been free to commit again but the SNP’s continued weakening of the justice system meant that became a shocking reality.
“I am proud to be bringing forward plans for a Domestic Abuse Register to give greater protection to victims and tackle the scourge of record levels of domestic abuse.
“Humza Yousaf must follow through on his warm words at Holyrood to give Claire’s parents the answers they deserve.”
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