Man on trial accused of murdering Claire Inglis in Stirling

Prosecutors allege Claire Inglis was murdered in her home by Christopher McGowan

A 28-year-old man has gone on trial accused of murdering his partner at her home in Stirling.

Prosecutors allege Christopher McGowan repeatedly struck 28-year-old Claire Inglis on the head and body, seized her by the neck, and compressed her neck.

He is also accused of burning her with a lighter, striking her on the head with a screwdriver, and forcing a tissue down her throat.

Mr McGowan denies murdering Ms Inglis at her flat on 28 November 2021.

He has lodged a special defence of self-defence.

Mr McGowan is also accused of a breach of the peace, being concerned in the supply of Etizolam and a breach of a bail curfew.

All the charges were allegedly committed while Mr McGowan was on bail.

Newly-qualified paramedic Florence McIntosh told the trial that she and a colleague were called to a flat in the St Ninians area of Stirling after a report of a cardiac arrest shortly before 05:00 on 28 November 2021.

She said they were greeted in the street by two men shouting for them to help a woman in the flat.

Swollen eyes and bruises

Ms McIntosh said the men were shouting "murder" and "he's killed her".

She told the court that a third man arrived and was attacked by the other two men.

Ms McIntosh said Claire Inglis was lying on the floor with a man she believed to be a neighbour giving her CPR.

The paramedic said Ms Inglis had swollen eyes and bruises to her face and limbs.

They tried to clear Ms Inglis' airways but discovered a wet wipe in her throat, which they removed.

She told the court that she and her colleague performed CPR for about 30 minutes but Ms Inglis was pronounced dead at 05:41.

The trial was shown photos of the scene with Ms Inglis' body on the floor, and was given details of her injuries.

'She's covered in blood'

Neighbour Gordon Willows, 57, told the trial he was woken up at about 05:00 by Christopher McGowan banging on his door shouting: "I think I've killed her, I think she's dead."

Mr Willows was asked by Paul Nelson KC, defending, why he had not told police this when they took a statement two days after Ms Inglis' death, telling officers Mr McGowan had said: "Get an ambulance, I think she's dead."

Mr Willows said he could not explain the discrepancy, but was "100% sure" what he had heard.

Another neighbour, Paul Prior, 33, said he was also woken at about the same time by Mr McGowan shouting: "She's covered in blood, she's not breathing."

Mr Prior said he had gone to Ms Inglis' flat and attempted to perform CPR on her, but that his chest compressions "did nothing at all".

He told the court: "I got pretty distressed, I felt like I was doing compressions on a dead body."

Mr Prior had left another neighbour to continue to perform CPR as he "wanted to make sure Kicky (Christopher McGowan) had not left the scene".

He said Mr McGowan was shouting that Claire had fallen down the stairs.

Mr Prior said he told Mr McGowan: "How is she at the top of the stairs then? I was giving the lassie CPR."

The case, before judge Michael O'Grady, continues at the High Court in Stirling.