Forensic pathologist says she has 'never seen an injury like that' as Glasgow murder trial hears woman suffered 78 wounds

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Alexander Brennan, 54, is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of murdering his partner Brodie MacGregor, 23, at her Springburn flat on 26 August 2024. Forensic pathologist Dr Julie McAdam told jurors MacGregor's cause of death was "facial injuries" — her airway, throat, gullet and stomach were full of blood after she tried to swallow it. MacGregor's injuries, which numbered 78 in total, left her with just one hour of survival time. Brennan was found bloodstained at an associate's home hours later, telling a witness he "couldn't stop" and was "done".

Brennan is accused of beating MacGregor with broken glass bottles and a microwave plate, as well as punching and slapping her.

Dr McAdam described a mouth injury so severe the upper and lower lips were torn from the gumline: 'Taking the soft tissue away from the face, I have never seen an injury like that.'

MacGregor suffered bleeding between her brain and its protective layer, a fractured nose, a sharp force scalp wound, and what the court heard were potential defensive injuries to her hands.