MAN WHO BEAT MUM TO DEATH WITH DOG CHAIN IS FREE AND PLANS MARRYING VULNERABLE GIRLFRIEND

Vile David Craigie's new partner has mental health problems and believes she is a four-year-old girl, friends say

A killer who battered a young mum to death with a dog chain is out of jail and now plans to marry a highly vulnerable woman, friends say.

David Craigie terrorised Sonya Todd for five hours before she died.

He was sentenced to six years for culpable homicide in 2008.

He is now in a relationship with a 31-year-old woman who has serious mental health problems, the Daily Record reports.

His new partner – who we have chosen not to identify – has spoken online about having foetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD, split personality disorder and behavioural problems as well as being emotionally unstable.

She moves from hostel to hostel in Glasgow and regularly posts live videos on Facebook that are viewed by thousands of people.

It's not known how the couple met but they have been together for a number of months and intend to marry some time next year – a decision that has alarmed many of the woman's friends.

They contacted our sister title the Daily Record with their concerns for her safety, claiming that Craigie – who uses different aliases including Darren, Kinloch and Hutchieson – is taking advantage of her.

Last night, one pal said: "She is a very vulnerable adult.

"One of her split personalities is a four-year-old named Stacey who David insists calls him 'daddy'.

"She has been warned about him but she insists she doesn't care. She doesn't understand how violent this person can be.

"I find it very disturbing how he is allowed near a vulnerable adult who has social workers. Why haven't any of them stepped in?"

In 2008, Craigie admitted killing Sonya in a frenzied attack at their home in Methil, Fife.

He subjected the 21-year-old to a merciless five-hour beating, during which he lashed her repeatedly with a dog chain.

Pathologists said diabetic Sonya's injuries were too numerous to detail but none of them individually would have killed her.

They concluded that her death was caused by a mixture of the beating and a severe diabetic episode.

Craigie was accused of murdering Sonya – who had a six-year-old daughter – but pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

His new partner boasted of their relationship on Facebook and was criticised when she posted pictures of her and Craigie together.

One comment from someone called Claire Smith said: "Sick vile man.

"We all know what you did to Sonya you f****** vile evil beast, left a poor little girl without a mum.

"You should have been given the death penalty.

"And to even own a dog again, police should have taken that off you. Get out while you can #murderer."

At the weekend, the woman took to Facebook to send a defiant message to those who disapprove of her relationship with Craigie.

She wrote: "To all my friends, thank you for not leaving me and supporting me through all the s*** I'm getting about my fiance.

"I've never been happier than I am now. I can't wait to marry David.

"I can't wait to move in with him. He's been there for me through all the s*** with my ex and I'll always be there for him.

"I love you baby so very much, more than anyone can imagine and I'm not getting away from him.

"I am with David so deal with it. If you don't like it, tough f****** burgers cause I ain't leaving my man just cause you don't like him or his past.

"David I love you ma boy forever xxxxxxxxxx."

Nine years ago, the High Court in Edinburgh heard how Craigie and Sonya had lived together since November 2006.

Sonya controlled her diabetes poorly and Craigie had given her life-saving help before.

On the day of the killing in March 2008, a neighbour heard the couple arguing.

When a friend later called at the flat, a tearful Craigie told him: "I think I've killed her."

The friend found Sonya lying on a bed and tried to revive her but when paramedics arrived, there was nothing they could do.

Derek Ogg, QC, prosecuting, told the High Court in Edinburgh: "The extensive injuries were too numerous for pathologists to detail individually but none of the individual injuries was life-threatening.

"The necessary awareness that he risked causing death or serious injury by his assault were not evident."

Lord Kinclaven told Craigie: "This was a sustained assault on Sonya Todd, who seemed not to have fought back.

"The consequence, albeit unintended and unforeseen, was the tragic loss of a life."

Craigie served three years for the killing and was moved to a west Fife village after his release.

When residents of High Valleyfield spotted him, they held an emergency meeting to get him moved. Fife Council officials met locals' representatives to respond to their concerns.

It is understood Craigie was not seen in the area again after the protest.

He was tracked him down to a ground-floor flat in Fife where he was spotted walking his dog, a Great Dane-Alsatian cross.

He refused to comment on his new relationship.