The parents of a woman from Scotland who was tragically killed by her partner are advocating for new legislation to safeguard women. Recent data revealed that nearly half of the women who lost their lives in Scotland last year were victims of domestic violence perpetrated by their current or former partners.
Christopher McGowan was sentenced for the murder of Claire, shortly after being released to reside in the flat she lived in with her son. McGowan, with a history of 39 prior convictions, including serious domestic assault, had been granted bail to live with her on three separate occasions, as reported by the Daily Record.
Claire’s parents are calling for immediate action, with her mother, Fiona, expressing, “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 short time, he managed to manipulate her, isolate her from her family, gain access to her home, and ultimately take her life.”
Fiona emphasized, “In Claire’s situation, he was given bail to live in her home, and it is crucial that individuals accused of domestic abuse are not allowed to stay in households with women and children any longer. This issue demands urgent attention.”
A proposed bill by MSP Pam Gosal aims to enforce restrictions akin to those on the sex offenders’ register for individuals convicted of domestic abuse.
During a recent First Minister’s Questions session, Tory leader Russell Findlay urged John Swinney to disclose a social work report indicating that Claire and her son were overlooked within the system. Findlay highlighted the concerning fact that social workers are not mandated to verify bail addresses, labeling it a significant loophole.
Swinney responded by expressing his willingness to release the report if feasible, stating he would be “very happy” to do so. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service conveyed their condolences to Claire Inglis’ family and indicated ongoing examination of the case, with decisions on a potential Fatal Accident Inquiry to be made in due course.
