A 'cruel' killer who brutally murdered his partner after returning home from watching the football has been caged for life. 

John Higgins admitted to fatally attacking Amanda McAlear at her home in Glasgow on May 7, 2022.

The 64-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of murder at the High Court in Glasgow on July 31, 2024, at the start of the trial against him.  

The court heard how the brute had attended a football match before going drinking in two pubs.

(Image: COPFS)

READ MORE: Man pleaded guilty to murder after brutal attack in Glasgow

The criminal left the last bar at 5.20pm and was taken to Amanda's house by taxi.

During the journey, Higgins said he was 'looking forward' to ordering an Indian meal and watching football on TV.

Meanwhile, 50-year-old Amanda was visiting her elderly mother who lived near her Barmulloch home in North Glasgow.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said she received a call from her son at 6.48pm asking her to keep his dog, which she had been looking after, for an extra day.  

(Image: Police Scotland)

READ MORE: Man in court charged with the murder of Amanda McAlear in Glasgow's Barmulloch

Tragically, this was the last time anyone had contact with Amanda before she died.

The COPFS said Higgins was caught on CCTV leaving his partner's home at 9.46pm.

The killer then attended the home of relatives and told how he had been arguing with Amanda.

The monster said that the mother-of-one had been unplugging the television whilst he had been trying to watch it.

(Image: Police Scotland) Higgins went on to say he had “seen red” and he thought things had “went too far” but never mentioned that Amanda had been injured or that she might need medical attention. 

After spending the night at his relative’s, Higgins said “you know that way when you wake up and reality hits you” before asking a family member to get details for a solicitor. 

Meanwhile, at 12pm on Sunday, May 8, Amanda’s son arrived at her home to pick up his dog.  

When no one answered the door, he let himself in using a set of keys he kept before finding his mother’s body in the kitchen.   

READ MORE: Killer murdered his partner after football match before spending night with family

He immediately called 999, however, Amanda was sadly pronounced dead at the scene at 12.15pm.

A post-mortem examination discovered that she had suffered many injuries including a fractured rib, a displaced tooth and soft tissue damage to her neck. 

Her primary cause of death was determined to be compression of the neck.  

During a forensic examination, Higgins was found to have bruising to the pinkie finger on his right hand, the inner side of his upper arm and a 3cm scratch to his chest.  

The couple had been together for four years.  

Now, Higgins has been jailed for a minimum of 19 years at the High Court in Glasgow.

The evil man was sentenced today.

(Image: Newsquest) Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “John Higgins violently attacked Amanda in her own home where she should have been safe.

"Instead of calling for help, he left the house leaving his partner on the kitchen floor.  

“His cruel and callous actions have robbed a family of their loving mum, daughter, sister, aunt and grandmother. 

“Adding to their unimaginable devastation, Amanda never got to meet her youngest grandchild and missed out on her son’s wedding.  

“Higgins will now face the consequences of his wicked actions by serving a life sentence.  

“Our thoughts remain with Amanda’s friends and family, who have waited patiently for justice to be served.”