Whisky bottle killer jailed for death of boyfriend in Coatbridge

A woman who killed her boyfriend after smacking him with a bottle of whisky she bought him as a birthday present has been jailed for more than seven years.

Alexis Cook attacked James McGrogan on the day he turned 54 in March this year.

The 32 year-old was later heard stating: “I hit him with a Jim Beam bottle. I think I gave him a bad one this time.”

Cook today returned to the dock having earlier pleaded guilty to a culpable homicide charge.

Lord Mulholland locked up for seven years and three months.

The judge said Cook had attacked James adding: “You did not summon help and left him to his fate.

"His fate was his death.

“He was much loved by his family and is dearly missed. His death has had a profound effect on them.”

Cook showed no emotion as he was lead handcuffed to the cells.

The killing occurred at James' flat in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire on March 13.

The couple had been dating for around two years.

The court heard James had been celebrating his birthday initially with Cook and his mum.

The dad later went to a local shop and it was there he met his son, who he had not seen for a decade.

Prosecutor David Taylor said: “James returned to his flat and was noted to be in a happy and emotional state following this reconciliation.”

But, when the couple were alone they had a “blazing row”.

A neighbour noticed “sounds of a commotion” which appeared to stop about 8.15pm.

It was around this time Cook texted her sister claiming: “Answer your phone.

"I'm in big trouble.”

The killer then went to a nearby flat wearing blood stained pyjamas.

She confessed to people there: “I hit him with a Jim Beam bottle. It was his birthday today.

“I hit him twice.

"I'd bought a bottle of it for him for his birthday.”

She claimed her and James had been “fighting”.

Cook went on: “I think I gave him a bad one this time. I left him lying in the hall.

“He'll be alright. I threw a cover over him.”

It was Cook herself who later dialled 999.

James was discovered by police lying under a duvet in the hall.

He was found to have “significant head trauma” with a large amount of broken glass in the flat.

Cook told officers she had hit James, but denied “using anything”.

She also said her boyfriend had bit her on the bottom. Cook insisted James had been alive when she left his home.

The victim was later found to have injuries “consistent” with smashed or broken glass.

The cause of death included “blunt force head injury”.

Donald Findlay QC, defending, said Cook “profoundly regrets” what happened.