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Christopher McGowan was found guilty by a jury at the High Court in Stirling

By Graeme Ogston

BBC Scotland Tayside and Central reporter

A man has been found guilty of murdering his new girlfriend weeks after being bailed to her Stirling home.

Christopher McGowan, 28, battered and strangled Claire Inglis, before burning her with a lighter and pushing a wet wipe down her throat.

A jury took just over two hours to convict McGowan, who was on five bail orders at the time of the murder.

Judge Michael O'Grady described the crime as "utter wickedness".

He said McGowan's attack on Ms Inglis was "brutal and bestial" and he thanked her family for their dignity in court.

They had watched every day of the trial from the public gallery at the High Court in Stirling.

After the verdict the court was told that McGowan had 40 previous convictions, including three for assault.

He has also served an 18 month jail term for assault and robbery.

Ms Inglis' parents want to know why he was released from prison to live at their daughter's home weeks before her death.