Warning: This article contains graphic detail
A MAN who admitted murdering his 21-year-old girlfriend and trying to cover up her death has been sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Phoenix Spencer-Horn was found dead at her flat on Glen Lee in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, in November last year.
At the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, the judge described Ewan Methven’s actions as a “dreadful crime” that “robbed her of her life in the cruellest way”.
Methven’s defence team acknowledged he had “delivered the ultimate betrayal” to Spencer-Horn’s family.
In June, Methven admitted to her murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Prosecutors said Methven attacked Spencer-Horn by repeatedly striking her on the head and body with a knife or knives.
The court heard Methven choked Spencer-Horn before severing her head and attempting to remove her limbs and torso from her body.
Methven, now 27, killed Spencer-Horn in the home they shared on November 16, after the couple ordered a takeaway to their flat in East Kilbride on a Saturday night.
Earlier that day, Methven – who worked as a postman for Royal Mail – had complained to his girlfriend that her work as a waitress made him feel “lonely”.
Around 9:37pm, Spencer-Horn had messaged her mother, Alison Spencer, to say they were eating dinner.
The court heard the couple had been together for two years after meeting at a family party.
Around midnight, Methven attacked her with three knives, stabbing her 20 times before mutilating her body and severing her head, according to court proceedings.
Prosecutors said Methven then spent the weekend driving Spencer-Horn’s red Corsa, scrolling through her phone, searching for internet pornography and trying to buy cocaine.
Prosecutor Christopher McKenna told the court: “The accused murdered his girlfriend, Phoenix Spencer-Horn, in the top-floor flat they shared. Late on Saturday November 16, he strangled her and stabbed her. He dialled 999 but not until November 18.
“Her mutilated and decapitated body was discovered only on November 18.”
The court was told Spencer-Horn had seen her mother the day before her death and had been in good spirits at work that same day.
McKenna added: “The police recovered texts between the accused and Phoenix, he complained of feeling lonely because of the hours she worked and he apologised.”
