Mum of murdered woman 'burst into tears' as monster murderer loses appeal

The mum of a woman murdered by her partner said she burst into tears as the killer lost his appeal.

Christopher McGowan must serve at least 23 years in jail for abusing and torturing Claire Inglis to death in 2021. He was served a handed a life sentence in October.

Claire's mum Fiona, 63, said: “We are so relieved McGowan’s appeal was thrown out and now two and a half years on from our daughter’s death, we will finally be able to lay her to rest safe in the knowledge this monster will remain behind bars.

READ NEXT-Edinburgh's 'deserted' shopping centre that was once the best in the city

READ NEXT-Man with knife threatens Edinburgh locals at own home as police launch probe

“When we got a phone call from the advocate to say his appeal was rejected, I burst into tears. I told Claire’s son her killer had to remain in jail and he jumped up and down in the hall saying, ‘He has to stay in there, he has to stay in there.”

As the Sunday Mail reports, Fiona and her husband Ian plan on scattering their daughter's ashes in Paris with her son.

McGowan was bailed Claire's home in Stirling despite having 39 convictions for crimes including violence and ­aggravated domestic assault.

It has sparked a campaign for laws to block violent offenders being bailed to the homes of vulnerable women.

Fiona, also of Stirling, said: “It’s been an incredibly long and difficult road but finally we will be able to set Claire free knowing her killer is behind bars where he belongs. From the day he took Claire’s life he has never shown any remorse.

"He killed her in the most brutal way, he subjected us to weeks of hell when he requested a second post mortem and we had to wait until her body was released.

“The way he behaved during the trial and then to appeal has made us so angry.”

Ian, 60, said: “It’s a ­travesty the appeal has used valuable taxpayers money.”

The Court of Appeal in ­Edinburgh refused the ­killer’s bid on Friday.

Fiona said: “We have had her ashes put into little pink glitter memory hearts and will light a candle in her memory. We have chosen to scatter Claire’s ashes in Paris because we had family ­holidays there when she was 10 and she always said it was the best time of her life. I want her son to have the best time of his life there as well.

“We want to remember Claire for the person she was but after all this time, we have to look forward for her son she loved so much.”

McGowan battered and throttled Claire, 28, burned her face with a lighter and choked her with a wet wipe.

In February, then first minister Humza Yousaf promised to review their plea to hold a public inquiry into her death.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Russell Findlay said: “While this failed appeal will come as a ­monumental relief to Claire’s parents, their agony continues as they’re still left waiting for answers to so many serious questions.”