Why was serial domestic abuser allowed to leave jail to murder mum-of-four?

STV News

6 days ago

Serial domestic abuser Mark Keel receives life sentence for brutal murder of mum-of-four Maxine Clark
Keel must serve a minimum of 22 years before being considered for parole
Despite his history of violence, Keel was released on bail to Ms Clark's home in the Riddrie area of Glasgow
He was the subject of separate non-harassment orders banning him from approaching or contacting three former partners
Keel was also referred to the Caledonian System – designed to rehabilitate male perpetrators of domestic abuse
His attendance on the programme was described as 'sporadic'
Keel pleaded guilty to a murder charge last month and was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday
Mark Keel had a long history of violent and abusive behaviour.
He was a serial domestic abuser deemed at high risk of reoffending.
As a result, he was the subject of non-harassment orders banning him from approaching or contacting three former partners.
He was also placed on the Caledonian Programme, designed to rehabilitate male perpetrators of domestic abuse.
But all of those measures failed to prevent him from murdering mum-of-four Maxine Clark at her home in Riddrie, north-east Glasgow, in June 2024.
Opposition politicians and campaign groups say her death is an example of a justice system 'that betrays victims'.
On Tuesday, Keel was jailed for life and he must serve a minimum of 22 years before being eligible for parole. Mark Keel jailed in June 2022 for domestic violence
In 2023, Keel, who was deemed a 'high-risk offender', was told to attend the Caledonian Programme
His attendance was described as 'sporadic'
In January 2024, he was instead given a 12-month supervision order as well as an 18-week night-time curfew
On June 27, 2024, emergency services attended the home address of Maxine Clark in Riddrie, Glasgow; Despite the efforts of emergency services, Maxine died
Keel was convicted of murder after pleading guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on April 30, 2025
Sentenced to 22 years in jail at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday
Deemed at high risk of offending again, Keel was referred to the Caledonian Programme, a behavioural programme designed to rehabilitate male perpetrators of domestic abuse.
The programme is a requirement of a community payback or probation order – normally for a period of two years.
It aims to reduce the chances of reoffending, but Keel's attendance was described as 'sporadic'.
He also went on to flout a court-imposed community payback order. In January 2024, Keel was instead put on 12-month supervision as well as an 18-week curfew.
The Caledonian Programme is operated by local authority criminal justice social work departments and works with domestic abuse perpetrators who present as being moderate and above in terms of risk of re-offending.
The programme has been independently accredited, and a requirement of receiving the programme is that an individual is subject to a court order of at least two years' duration.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Maxine Clark who have lost a loved one in horrific circumstances.
'Sentencing in any given case, including the imposition of Community Payback Orders and Restriction of Liberty Orders, is always a matter for the independent courts. The Scottish Government cannot comment on sentencing decisions.'
At the time of the killing, Keel and mum-of-four Ms Clark had been in a relationship for 18 months.
He had recently moved into her home in Riddrie.
Maxine had once been described as 'healthy, happy and outgoing'. However, she had told others of physical violence being inflicted on her by Keel. Police Scotland Maxine Clark
Ms Clark had been seen with black eyes as well as an injury to her jaw. She also had 'grab marks' around her neck.
Prosecutor David Dickson said: 'Family and friends warned her they felt Keel posed a threat to her.'
In the hours before the murder on Thursday, June 27, 2024, Keel called his own mum asking to get picked up, claiming he was 'leaving' Ms Clark.
They went to his father's home in the Southside of Glasgow before he later got a taxi back to Ms Clark's house.
He was described as 'drunk' and Ms Clark was in bed when he got there.
Mr Dickson said it was at the property that the fatal attack occurred.
A child also staying at the house got up the next morning to find Ms Clark still in the bed with Keel wrapped in a blanket sitting beside her.
Mr Dickson said: 'She appeared to have fresh injuries to her face and her breathing was described as laboured.'
Ms Clark was rolled onto her side. The child left to play with friends, but returned every hour to see how she was.
Advocate depute Mr Dickson told the court: 'Keel said he thought she was having an allergic reaction and that there was no need to call an ambulance.'
At around 6pm, G4S security staff arrived to fit an electronic tag on Keel due to the curfew imposed on him weeks earlier.
But he steered them away, claiming he had just woken up. Spindrift Mark Keel
Keel instead went on to dial 999, claiming Ms Clark's tongue was swollen and that he had not seen her awake that day.
Emergency crews arrived to find her still lying on the blood-stained bed, partially covered with a duvet.
It was found she was already dead.
Mr Dickson said Ms Clark had 51 separate injuries, including brain damage, significant bruising, fractures, and wounds.
These were likely caused by punches, kicks, and being stamped upon. The imprint of the soles of Keel's shoes were found on her leg such was the force.
Emergency services attended the home address of Maxine Clark in Riddrie, Glasgow. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Maxine died.
Sharon Dowey, Scottish Conservative shadow minister for victims and community safety, said: 'This tragic case is another shocking example of the SNP's justice system betraying victims.
'This dangerous offender had a history of violence yet was free to brutally carry out this murder of Maxine Clark.
'Cases like this expose the stark reality of the SNP's relentless weakening of the justice system which repeatedly prioritises criminals over victims.
'He must now feel the full force of the law given the clear and huge risk he presents to public safety.'
On sentencing, Lord Mulholland said: 'What you did to this defenceless woman was cowardly and evil. They were the actions of a brute.
'You have a history of domestic violence as confirmed by your criminal record and in the agreed narrative read to the court. STV News
'You have been violent to three previous partners, and you were also violent to Maxine Clark. Witnesses speak to seeing her with black eyes and grab marks to her neck.
'I also note that at the time of the murder you were subject to a community payback order with a curfew and a restriction of liberty order for a previous domestic abuse conviction.
here is no guarantee that you will ever be granted parole and you may never be released from prison. You are assessed as posing a very high risk to women in a relationship with you.
'You will only be released if you are considered by the parole board to pose no risk to the public, particularly women, and that is a long way off, if ever.'
Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said 'more' needs to be done to better support victims of domestic abuse in Scotland.
This includes having robust risk assessments and monitoring arrangements in place when offenders are released back into communities.
Victim Support Scotland argued against the removal of existing protections in the recently passed Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act, such as Section 23D of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.
'Section 23D set out a presumption against Bail for people accused of violent, sexual, and/or domestic abuse offences in solemn proceedings, where they had a previous conviction of a similar nature – so that they would only be granted Bail in 'exceptional' circumstances,' Ms Wallace said.
'We believe that it was an important safeguarding tool and it will be much missed in the new regulations, in which bail is expected to be granted unless the court can determine a good reason for refusing it.
'Cases like those of Maxine Clark tragically underscore the dangers of not having adequate safeguards in place.
'Victims of domestic abuse need to have the confidence to come forward for help, knowing that their fears will be taken seriously and that they will receive assistance to plan for their safety of that of their family.'
If you don't feel comfortable reporting it to the Police, Victim Support Scotland can provide essential support, including financial aid if you have no other funds available.
You can call its helpline 0800 160 1985 or visit its website for a free, confidential chat: victimsupport.scot.
Detective sergeant Ian Evans said: Detective Sergeant Ian Evans said: 'Keel is a violent individual and women are safer now he has been convicted for his crimes.
'Maxine was a beloved mum and daughter. Maxine's family miss her every day and they still feel her loss profoundly. I hope they find some solace in knowing Keel is no longer able to inflict his brutal and violent behaviour on any other women.
'We are committed to tackling violence against women and girls. I would like to assure anyone suffering at the hands of an abuser not to suffer in silence.
'We have detectives dedicated to investigating such offences, please report it. You can be assured that you will be fully supported by officers and our partner agencies.'
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