Mum brutally attacked by estranged daughter and husband in her own home

A woman and her husband, who brutally attacked her mother in her own home, have each been jailed for four and a half years.

Paula and Malcolm McGill left the 56-year-old with life-threatening injuries after bursting into her flat in Clydebank on May 6, 2024.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that the mum and her 41-year-old daughter were estranged at the time and had not spoken to each other for around seven years.

However, the McGills and the victim lived near each other.

In the early hours, police had been alerted to a noise complaint in a neighbouring flat of the couple.

They went to the McGills’ door instead, where Paula McGill said she had not heard anything, so officers left.

The court heard that around ten minutes later, McGill’s mother heard her buzzer going.

She looked out to find her daughter and her husband at the property, but did not allow them in.

A short time later, the woman’s door was kicked open by 43-year-old Malcolm McGill.

Prosecutor David McDonald then explained: “Both McGills entered – [the woman] said she was in a state of shock.

“Paula McGill was shouting before [her mother] was dragged to the floor by the hair, some of it being ripped out.

“She kicked her multiple times on the face and head as she lay on the floor.

“Malcolm McGill stamped on [the victim’s] ribs once. She felt them ‘crunching’.

“[The victim] believes the whole assault lasted no longer than 30 seconds.”

The McGills fled, being caught on a doorbell camera going out the door.

The victim managed to crawl to her bedroom before a neighbour came in and got help.

Officers found the bloodied mum who told them she had been attacked by her daughter and son-in-law.

Police had to take her to hospital as there were no ambulances available.

She had a brain bleed, fractures to her nose, ribs, as well as a collapsed lung, severe bruising and a wound to her lip.

Mr McDonald said: “It was assessed at the time that the injuries would require ongoing treatment and further specialist input.”

She was able to leave hospital on May 12, 2024.

The McGills were arrested that morning.

Paula McGill initially claimed she had been at a friend’s house at the time, but then admitted being in her mum’s close, but denied assaulting her mum.

Malcolm McGill made no comment.

Forensic evidence linked the pair to the crime, including blood marks on Malcolm McGill’s “Crocs” shoes.

The pair pled guilty to a charge of assaulting the woman to her severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of her life.

The McGills returned to the dock on Thursday to be sentenced.

Lord Mulholland said the jail terms would have been six years each, but for the guilty pleas.

He also imposed a non-harassment order on both, banning them from going near or contacting the woman for life.

The judge said: “Breaching this order is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment.”