Man jailed over death of young Aberdeen woman

An Aberdeen man who killed a woman seconds after he pressed on her neck has been jailed for six years.

Mark Bruce,32, had met Chloe Mizek,20, after both had left separate nights out in Aberdeen in the early hours of November 3 2017.

The High Court in Aberdeen heard how the pair returned to Bruce’s flat after meeting at a bus stop.

Chloe lost her life after Bruce squeezed his hands around her neck. He was seen on CCTV leaving his home and wandering nearby streets for an hour before walking to a police station where he confessed to what he had done.

Bruce pleaded guilty to culpable homicide last month. Judge Lord Kinclaven deferred sentence to obtain reports on Bruce's character.

On Thursday, at the High Court in Edinburgh, defence advocate Brian McConnachie QC told Lord Kinclaven that his client was sorry for what he had done.

The lawyer also told the judge that Bruce recognised the "catastrophic" impact his actions have had on his victim's family and friends.

But Lord Kinclaven told Bruce that the only sentence available to him was to impose a prison sentence.

Placing Bruce on the Sex Offenders Register, Lord Kinclaven said: "In passing sentence, I take into account your actions following the death of Miss Miazek.

"I recognise that you attended a police station soon after the death of Miss Miazek. I also take into account your expressions of remorse.

"I take into account that you recognise that your criminal behaviour has had a catastrophic impact on the lives of your victim's family and friends. There is nothing that this court can do to ease their pain and suffering.

"However, you have been convicted of culpable homicide. There is no other way to deal with you - the imposition of a custodial sentence is the only disposal available to me."

In proceedings last month, the court heard how Bruce had been drinking in the city's Noose and Monkey pub at Rosemount Viaduct while Chloe, of Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, had been thrown out of the Nox night club at Justice Mill Lane.

They both met with each other and struck up a conversation at a bus stop before heading to Bruce's flat, also at Rosemount Viaduct.

The court heard how the pair went to bed at 3.30am. Bruce then killed Chloe, a supermarket worker, shortly afterwards.

Prosecutor Jo McDonald told Lord Kinclaven: "The evidence suggests death is likely to have been quick - seconds rather than minutes."

The court heard that Bruce then left his property and walked the streets before going to a police station. He buzzed the intercom and told the officer who answered: "I've done something terrible."

On Thursday, Mr McConnachie told the court that Bruce was remorseful for what he had done.

He added: "He accepts full responsibility for the death of Miss Miazek and he has done so from the earliest opportunity. He did not intend her to die.

"There was no intention on Mr Bruce's part to cause her harm.

"Mr Bruce recognises that the consequences of his actions must have been catastrophic for the friends and family of Miss Miazek.

"There is no sentence which the court can impose which will make the family of Miss Miazek feel better or feel different to the way they are feeling right now.

"Mr Bruce has clearly learned a salutory lesson. I would ask you to consider these factors in sentencing."

Lord Kinclaven told Bruce that if he hadn't pleaded guilty, he would have received a nine year sentence.

Chloe Miazek’s family has this morning paid tribute to their daughter:

"No matter the outcome today or what has been said in court, Chloe - our beautiful daughter - was a young girl in the prime of her life who did not deserve to die.

"She was thoughtful, caring and intelligent and was loved dearly by her entire family and many friends.

"Losing a child is every parent's worst nightmare, but it's a reality we now face. We will always remember Chloe for the loving girl she was and will forever try to keep that memory alive."