Man 'attacked' partner hours before she died, murder trial told

A man accused of murdering his partner allegedly assaulted her hours before she was found dead.

Alexander Brennan, 54, denies killing Brodie MacGregor, 23, at her flat in Glasgow's Springburn on 26 August 2024.

On the opening day of the trial jurors heard that during a 999 call at 04:37 MacGregor could be heard to say: "You attacked me."

But when officers showed up at the property at 05:13 she told them said was safe with her "friend" Brennan.

PC Paige Hughes, who responded to the call rang the buzzer twice before she was allowed into the flat by the accused.

The officer said that the property was in a "state of disarray" but there was no sign of a disturbance.

Hughes told the court that MacGregor told her the call was a "mistake".

Jurors were also read a police statement from taxi driver Mohammed Hanif, who took a man from Stirling to MacGregor's block of flats at 01:45.

Hanif, who has since died, said: "The man said he fell out with his girlfriend and that's why he was going to Springburn. He seemed really drunk."

The driver later said that the man entered the flat as if he had a key.

Det Sgt Martin Clark, took the jury through CCTV which was captured around 09:42 on the day of the alleged murder.

He identified Brennan on the footage around the Hawthorn Street and Springfield Road area.

Prosecutor Alan Parfery asked the witness: "What did you see the person doing at the clothing bank?"

Clark replied: "They approached the clothing bank, lifted the lid and placed an item which looked dark in colour in the clothing bank before closing the door."

A 999 call, which was said to have been made by Brennan at 09:57, was then played to the court.

When asked by the call handler if the patient was breathing, Brennan replied: "I don't think so."

Later in the call, the handler asked him what happened and jurors were told that there was no response to the question.

Paramedic Ronald Hewitson told the court that he attended Brodie's home just after 10:00.

He confirmed that entry to the property was forced after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called.

Hewitson recalled: "The room was in disarray. There was blood on both walls - blood splatter. I believe there was broken glass."

The witness later claimed that it was "not a normal scene I would walk into".

Jurors were shown an image of Brodie lying on the floor of the living room.

Parfery asked Hewitson if there was any sign of life and he replied: "No."

He added: "She was cool, not cold but she was cool."

Jurors were told that Brodie was pronounced dead at 10:15.

The murder charge claims Brennan punched and slapped MacGregor.

It goes on to state he also repeatedly struck her on the face, head and body with glass bottles, some of which were broken, as well as hitting her with a microwave plate.

Brennan is further said to have inflicted blunt force trauma injuries by means unknown.

He also faces a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

This features an accusation that he got rid of bloodstained jeans in a clothing collection bin, also in Springburn.

It is claimed Brennan done this in a bid to "conceal evidence" and "avoid arrest" for the crime.

He is separately accused of assaulting MacGregor before the alleged killing.

Brennan denies all the charges.

The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.