Scotland’s top law officer is being urged to fully release a “damning” report into the murder of a young mother who was tortured and killed by her boyfriend.
Christopher McGowan beat and strangled Claire Inglis, 28, at her flat in Stirling in November 2021.
The mother-of-one suffered 76 injuries in the fatal attack, which included being burned with a lighter and having a wet wipe pushed down her throat.
McGowan received a life sentence with a minimum of 23 years behind bars in October 2023.
Following the murder, which was described by judge Michael O’Grady as “beyond sadistic”, it was revealed that McGowan was a serial offender who had been bailed three times to Claire’s home in the months leading up to her death.
An independent expert report into the handling of the case noted that despite prior concerns, “no further action was taken by social services” – with the expert concluding that this amounted to a “major safeguarding lapse”.
The report found no one spoke to Ms Inglis about McGowan’s background or offered her support, adding that the “system as a whole” failed her.
It said Ms Inglis and her son were “effectively invisible” to authorities.
Claire Inglis’s parents Fiona and Ian Inglis at Holyrood during FMQs on Thursday. Pic: PA
The victim’s parents Fiona and Ian Inglis have only seen a summary of the document and are calling on the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to release the report in full.
Ms Inglis said: “The Crown Office has not even given us the full report, but only a brief summary which does not answer critical questions about whether Claire’s murder might have been prevented.
“We believe that it could have been and that she should still be with us today.
“That is why we back the policy to ensure that all relevant…
