Alexander Brennan, 54, has been found guilty of murdering his partner, 23-year-old Brodie MacGregor, in a frenzied attack at her Glasgow flat on August 26, 2024. He was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years in prison following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
MacGregor sustained a total of 78 injuries to her head and body, primarily from being repeatedly struck with glass bottles, according to a post-mortem examination. The judge, Lord Scott, stated that Brennan's actions left a child without a mother and described the murder as brutal, noting that MacGregor posed no physical threat. The judge highlighted that medical descriptions of her injuries were comparable to those seen in high-velocity impacts or falls from a building. Brennan was also criticized for not seeking medical assistance for MacGregor for approximately an hour after the attack, despite her being conscious or unconscious, which could have offered a slight chance of survival.
Evidence presented in court indicated that Brennan traveled from Stirling to MacGregor's flat in Glasgow on the morning of the murder. MacGregor made a 999 call around 4:35 AM, stating, "You attacked me." Responding officers arrived but were told by MacGregor that the call was a mistake and she was safe. CCTV footage later showed the couple leaving the flat separately and returning, with Brennan seen disposing of blood-stained trousers in a nearby clothing bin around 9:41 AM. He subsequently called 999 at approximately 9:55 AM, reporting that he did not believe MacGregor was breathing. When questioned by the call handler about what happened, Brennan did not respond.
Upon forcing entry, emergency services discovered MacGregor lying face down on the living room floor amidst fragments of broken glass bottles. A detective described her injuries as severe, stating her face was "hanging off." MacGregor was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:15 AM.
Following the attack, Brennan traveled by train to Camelon, where he visited a friend. A witness told jurors Brennan had "blood all over him," and after she cleaned him, he stated he "couldn't stop" and was "done." Blood-stained clothing, including a jumper seized from a washing machine and the recovered trousers, was confirmed to be MacGregor's. Dr. Julie McAdam testified that the cause of death was extensive facial injuries, including blunt force trauma, bruises, abrasions, and lacerations. She noted the presence of "bilateral black eyes," indicative of high-velocity injuries. The court also heard that MacGregor had inhaled a significant amount of blood, which filled her lungs and airways. Dr. McAdam estimated MacGregor would have been alive for an hour after sustaining her injuries and that seeking medical help sooner might have saved her life.
Brennan's defense acknowledged he had little recollection of the events but indicated some memory of an argument. It was revealed he has prior convictions for assault. Detective Superintendent Lynsey Watters expressed that while no verdict can bring MacGregor back, the sentence will hopefully provide some comfort to her family and friends, and that Brennan will face consequences for his "reprehensible actions." Police Scotland reiterated that violence against women and girls is a priority.
