Alexander Brennan, 54, is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of killing Brodie MacGregor, 23, at her flat in the Springburn area on 26 August 2024. During opening submissions on the first day of the trial, jurors heard evidence that MacGregor said "You attacked me" during a 999 call made at 04:37, though she later told police she felt safe with Brennan when officers arrived at 05:13.
The prosecution case, presented before Lord Scott, centres on allegations that Brennan assaulted MacGregor multiple times using various implements including glass bottles and a microwave plate, causing blunt force trauma injuries. He also faces a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by allegedly disposing of bloodstained jeans in a clothing collection bin in Springburn to conceal evidence. Brennan denies all charges.
What did the initial emergency call reveal?
The 999 call made at 04:37 captured MacGregor's voice saying "You attacked me," but when PC Paige Hughes responded to the property at 05:13, the situation appeared to have changed. Hughes, who had to ring the buzzer twice before being admitted by Brennan, found the flat in a "state of disarray" but observed no obvious signs of a physical disturbance. When questioned by the officer, MacGregor described the emergency call as a "mistake" and indicated she was safe.
How did Brennan arrive at the flat?
Taxi driver Mohammed Hanif, who has since died, provided a police statement describing how he transported a man from Stirling to MacGregor's block of flats at 01:45. According to Hanif's account, the passenger told him he had argued with his girlfriend and was travelling to Springburn because of this dispute. Hanif noted that the man appeared heavily intoxicated and observed him entering the flat as though he possessed a key to the property.
What does the CCTV evidence show?
Detective Sergeant Martin Clark presented footage to the jury captured around 09:42 on the day of the alleged murder, identifying Brennan in the area around Hawthorn Street and Springfield Road. When prosecutor Alan Parfery questioned Clark about the footage, the officer described seeing a person approach a clothing bank, lift its lid, place what appeared to be a dark-coloured item inside, and then close the door. This sequence is central to the prosecution's allegation that Brennan disposed of evidence at the clothing collection point.
What happened when emergency services arrived?
A 999 call made at 09:57, allegedly by Brennan, was played to the court. When the call handler asked if the patient was breathing, Brennan responded:
I don't think so.The handler later asked what had happened, but jurors were told there was no response to this question. Paramedic Ronald Hewitson attended the property just after 10:00 and confirmed that entry had to be forced after the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were called.
Hewitson described the scene in stark terms to the court. He recalled:
The room was in disarray. There was blood on both walls - blood splatter. I believe there was broken glass.The paramedic added that it was
not a normal scene I would walk into.Jurors were shown an image of MacGregor lying on the living room floor. When Parfery asked Hewitson if there was any sign of life, he replied:
No.He further noted:
She was cool, not cold but she was cool.MacGregor was pronounced dead at 10:15.
What are the specific allegations against Brennan?
The murder charge alleges that Brennan punched and slapped MacGregor, repeatedly struck her on the face, head and body with glass bottles—some of which were broken—and hit her with a microwave plate. The indictment further claims he inflicted blunt force trauma injuries by means unknown. In addition to the murder charge, Brennan faces an accusation of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of bloodstained jeans in a clothing collection bin in Springburn in an effort to conceal evidence and avoid arrest. He is also separately accused of assaulting MacGregor before the alleged killing. Brennan has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
What happens next?
The trial before Lord Scott continues, with further evidence expected to be presented to the jury in the coming days.
Key Facts:
- Alexander Brennan, 54, denies murdering Brodie MacGregor, 23, at her Springburn flat on 26 August 2024
- A 999 call at 04:37 captured MacGregor saying "You attacked me," but she told police hours later she felt safe with Brennan
- CCTV footage allegedly shows Brennan placing a dark item in a clothing bank around 09:42 on the day of the death
- Paramedics found MacGregor dead in a room with blood splatter on walls and broken glass when they arrived after 10:00
- Brennan faces charges of murder, assault, and attempting to defeat the ends of justice by concealing evidence
