Vile abuser slammed after brutally murdering mum in Glasgow

Glasgow Times

30-04-2025

Brute Mark Keel killed Maxine Clark at her home in Riddrie. The 33-year-old left the mum with more than 50 injuries.
The 36-year-old woman had already suffered at the thug's violent hands prior to her death, including a neighbour seeing her with a black eye.
At the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, April 30, Keel pleaded guilty to murder.
Maxine Clark (Image: Newsquest)
READ MORE: Man killed Maxine Clark in Glasgow left her with over 50 injuries
On Thursday, June 27, 2024, emergency crews attended the home address of Maxine. However, despite the best efforts of medics, Maxine sadly died.
Subsequent enquiries then resulted in Mark being arrested and charged in connection with her death.
The despicable abuser will be sentenced on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Following his plea, Detective Sergeant Ian Evans slammed Keel as being a 'violent individual'.
Police at the scene (Image: Newsquest) He said: "Keel is a violent individual, and women are safer now that he has been convicted for his crimes.
"Maxine's family miss her every day, 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.
'Extensive enquiries were carried out with specialist support from the Digital Evidence Detection Dogs.
"The dogs carried out a search of Maxine's home address to locate her mobile phone, which played a key part in our investigation.
'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."
READ MORE: Man charged with murder following death of woman in Glasgow
READ MORE: Tributes to mum after man charged in connection with death
We reported how the convicted domestic abuser faces life behind bars for the brutal murder.
It was revealed that Keel already had abuse convictions in connection with former partners.
At the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, Lord Mulholland said he had been responsible for a "savage beating" of Maxine.
(Image: Newsquest) Prior to getting into a relationship with Maxine, Keel had previously been made the subject of strict non-harassment orders banning him from approaching or contacting three former partners.
This also included him being jailed in June 2022 for domestic violence.
In 2023, he was also told to attend the Caledonian System - a project for men guilty of such abuse - with Keel being deemed "a high-risk offender". But his 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.
At the time of the killing, Keel and mum-of-four Maxine had been in a relationship for 18 months. He had recently moved into her home in Riddrie.
READ MORE: Woman who died after being found injured in Glasgow pictured
Maxine had once been described as "healthy, happy and outgoing". However, she had told others of physical violence being inflicted on her by Keel.
Maxine had been seen with black eyes as well as an injury to her jaw. She also had "grab marks" around her neck. Maxine admitted to a neighbour that Keel had punched her.
However, she was scared to report the thug in fear of repercussions.
Prosecutor David Dickson said: "Family and friends warned her they felt Keel posed a threat to her."
In the hours before the murder, Keel called his own mum asking to get picked up, claiming he was "leaving" Maxine.
They went to his father's home in the Southside of Glasgow before he later got a taxi back to Maxine's house. He was described as "drunk". Maxine was in bed when he got there.
Mr Dickson said it was at the property that the fatal attack then occurred.
A child also staying at the house got up the next morning to find Maxine 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."
Maxine 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.
Keel instead went on to dial 999, claiming Maxine's tongue was swollen and that he had not seen her awake that day.
Mercy crews arrived to find her still lying on the blood-stained bed, partially covered with a duvet.
It was found she was sadly already dead.
Mr Dickson said Maxine 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.
The hearing was told that Maxine was the only child of her grieving parents, Joseph and Mary Clark.
Keel remains in custody as sentencing was deferred for reports.
Lord Mulholland told him: "You gave this lady a savage beating. You are a serial domestic abuser."