Kenneth Glad
A murder trial in Edinburgh has ended with a life sentence for a man convicted of killing his partner in the Shetland Islands. The proceedings revealed a pattern of violence and conflicting accounts, leaving a grieving family to confront the details in court.
The High Court heard how Aren Pearson, 41, was found guilty of murdering 24-year-old Claire Leveque. The judge ordered a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years.
Jurors examined forensic reports, recordings and witness testimony over several days. At times, the courtroom fell silent as evidence was played, underscoring the gravity of the case.
Claire’s father, Clint Leveque, sat within sight of the defendant throughout. “He was just a few feet in front of me behind a glass wall, and there were moments when I was going to jump over it,” he said.
He later explained, according to The Sun, that he stepped outside during particularly difficult moments, choosing distance over confrontation.
A key issue
A key issue in the trial was Pearson’s shifting account of what happened on the night of the killing. Prosecutors relied heavily on recordings from emergency calls made shortly after the incident.
In one call, he said: “I just killed my girlfriend in a hot tub in the garage.” He then went on to describe the attack, according to evidence presented in court.
Later, Pearson denied responsibility, telling the court he could not remember the call and claiming Claire had injured herself. Prosecutors argued this version did not match the medical findings.
An earlier recording, captured by Claire during an argument, was also played to jurors. In it, she said: “You beat the s**t out of me on my 24th birthday.” The prosecution pointed to this as evidence of ongoing abuse.
What evidence showed
Medical findings formed a central part of the prosecution case. According to court records, Claire suffered 55 injuries, including multiple wounds to the head and neck.
Experts told the court the injuries were consistent with a sustained attack, challenging the defence claim that they were self-inflicted.
Additional evidence referenced in court records included previous allegations of violence involving Pearson in Canada. Prosecutors used this to build a broader picture of his behaviour.
The defence argued the relationship had been volatile, but the jury ultimately rejected that explanation.
Beyond the verdict
Claire had moved from Alberta to Shetland in 2023 after beginning a relationship with Pearson, The Sun reported. Family members later said the decision happened quickly, leaving little time for reflection.
Messages sent to relatives suggested she was struggling, though the full extent of her situation only became clear later. Distance made it harder for loved ones to intervene.
Following the conviction, her family has spoken about the importance of recognising warning signs in abusive relationships, especially when someone moves away from their support network.
Jenny, Clint’s partner, said the defence claims were hard to hear. “He is a monster. To try to say that she did it herself made me sick,” she said, as reported by The Sun.
The case has also renewed focus on Clare’s Law, which allows people to request information about a partner’s history of violence, highlighting the role such measures can play in prevention.
Sources: The Sun
