Karen Buckley thought to have been hit and strangled

The man charged with the murder of Irish woman Karen Buckley (24) is alleged to have assaulted and strangled her before trying to dispose of her body using acid.

Alexander Pacteau (21) was charged at Glasgow Sheriff’s Court with the murder of Ms Buckley, who was last seen alive leaving the Sanctuary nightclub in the city around 1am on April 12th.

He was also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice. He did not enter a plea to each charge when brought before Sheriff Charles McFarlane QC.

The court hearing was held in private but it has emerged from court documents that Mr Pacteau is alleged to have hit Ms Buckley with some implement before strangling her.

The prosecution has also alleged that Mr Pacteau later tried to dispose of Ms Buckley’s body at High Craighton Farm outside Glasgow by using “corrosive substances”.

Three units of the Glasgow Fire Service attended at the scene and it is believed they used specialist safety suits to help recover Ms Buckley’s body from a barrel.

Police Scotland is not commenting on the case as it is now with the procurator fiscal – the equivalent of the Irish DPP. However, more details are emerging.

It is understood the owner of a farmhouse at High Craighton had reported suspicious activity in the area sometime between 11am and 3pm on Monday, April 13th.

Mr Pacteau was remanded in custody by Sheriff Charles McFarlane QC and is due to make his second appearance later this week.