Murder Trial Set for October 2025
A man accused of murdering a woman weeks after he allegedly attempted to kill her is to stand trial next year. Brian Hughes, 49, appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.
It is alleged Hughes repeatedly punched, stamped and kicked Joanne Newlands on the head, neck and body, or otherwise repeatedly inflicted blunt force trauma by means unknown between March 13 and 17 this year. He is also accused of failing to give or seek medical assistance for Ms Newlands, referred to in court documents as his “partner or ex-partner”, leaving her so severely injured that the 41-year-old died at the flat in Kirkton Avenue, Glasgow.
Additional Charges of Attempted Murder and Robbery
Hughes is also accused of attempting to murder Ms Newlands by compressing her neck with his hands until she lost consciousness, to the danger of her life, on an occasion between January 1 and 6 this year at the same flat. Additionally, it is alleged he robbed her of a bracelet and ring.
The 49-year-old faces a charge alleging he assaulted Ms Newlands on May 19, 2018 at a flat in Glasgow by seizing a bracelet she was wearing and breaking it, breaking her sunglasses and a photo frame, and stealing a mobile phone from her.
Domestic Abuse Allegations Spanning Several Years
Hughes is also accused of domestic abuse over several years between April 1, 2019 and March 17 this year at flats in Glasgow and places elsewhere in Scotland. It is alleged he behaved in a “controlling and abusive manner” towards Ms Newlands during the relationship, which allegedly included monitoring her whereabouts, controlling her finances, and controlling and monitoring her mobile phone usage.
He is also accused of sending her abusive text messages and voicemails, headbutting and assaulting her, accusing her of infidelity, shouting and swearing at her, and threatening her and her family.
Trial Date Fixed
Lord Scott fixed a trial date of October 25 next year at the hearing on Wednesday. The court heard the trial is expected to last around 10 days.
