Violent abuser destroyed our beautiful Demi and our family

Parents tell of their heartache over bully they had treated like a son

- MICHAEL MCQUAID

A GRIEVING couple have been left "destroyed" after their daughter died following horrendous abuse by her partner.

Andrew Brown throttled Demi Hannaway on numerous occasions over more than two years, called her derogatory names and sent her "vile" messages.

She passed away at the age of 23 and her parents, John and Helen, were told the mum of two had taken her own life.

Brown, 33, was jailed for 43 months at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week.

He admitted assaulting Demi and conducting a course of abusive behaviour against her between from January 1, 2019, until May 13, 2021 - the day she died. The court heard that shortly before she died the couple, who had two young children, argued at their Airdrie home in the early hours of the morning.

Soon after, Brown told a neighbour and Demi's sister Caitlin, who lived nearby, that she was dead.

After Demi's death, two children confided that they had witnessed Brown being violent towards her over a prolonged period.

Demi's mum discovered abusive messages from Brown on her daughter's phone. He was arrested on domestic abuse charges.

Her parents described the outcome of the court case as "bitter sweet".

Their solicitor has lodged a complaint with Police Scotland about the probe into their daughter's death. John said: "We have serious concerns about what happened in the hours before Demi died.

"It's our belief that there were police failings in the investigation."

John, who owns a recycling company, described Demi as "the perfect child".