A MONSTER domestic abuser faces life in jail for the brutal murder of his partner who he left with more than 50 horror injuries.
Mark Keel, 33, killed Maxine Clark at her home in Riddrie, Glasgow, last July.
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Maxine Clark was murdered in her own home by domestic abuser Mark Keel
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The scene in Tummel Street where the mum-of-four was brutally killedCredit: Steve Welsh
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Keel pleaded guilty at the High Court in GlasgowCredit: Getty
The 36-year-old mum had already suffered at the tattooed thug’s violent hands before her death, including a neighbour seeing her with a black eye.
Keel today pleaded guilty to a murder charge as he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow.
It emerged he already had abuse convictions in connection with former partners.
Keel will learn the minimum he will spend behind bars in late May.
Lord Mulholland said he had been responsible for a “savage beating” of Maxine.
The court heard that prior to getting into a relationship with Maxine, Keel had previously been 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” and he also went on to flout a court-imposed community payback order.
In January last year, Keel was instead put on 12 months’ supervision and an 18-week curfew.
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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.
Maxine had once been described as “healthy, happy and outgoing”.
However, the court heard she had told others of physical violence being inflicted on her by Keel.
Maxine had been seen with black eyes as well an injury to her jaw.
She also had “grab marks” around her neck.
Maxine admitted to a neighbour 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” and Maxine was in bed when he got there.
Mr Dickson said it was at the property the fatal attack then occurred.
Maxine was found the next morning 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.
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.
The court heard 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 was found on her leg such was the force.
The hearing was told 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.”
Scottish Conservative shadow minister for victims and community safety Sharon Dowey MSP said: “This horrific case exposes the reality of the SNP’s soft-touch justice system.
“The public will be appalled to learn this violent criminal was able to be free to offend again in the most brutal way.
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“It is time SNP ministers ensured victims, not criminals are prioritised on their watch.”
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
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Keel faces spending life behind bars when he is sentencedCredit: Spindrift