Man admits murdering and beheading girlfriend
A man has admitted murdering and decapitating his 21-year-old girlfriend before texting her mother pretending to be her and searching for internet pornography.
Ewan Methven, now 27, murdered Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, in the home they shared on November 16 last year, after the couple ordered a takeaway to their flat in Glen Lee, 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 waitress shifts made him "lonely", and she had exchanged messages with her mother, Alison Spencer, at around 9.37pm, saying they were eating dinner.
The couple had been together for two years and met at a family party, the High Court in Glasgow was told.
At around midnight on the Saturday, Methven attacked Miss Spencer-Horn with three knives, stabbing her 20 times, before mutilating her body and severing her head with three knives, the court heard.
He spent the weekend driving Miss Spencer-Horn's red Corsa, scrolling through her phone and searching for internet pornography, as well as making several attempts to buy cocaine, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutor Christopher McKenna said: "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 heard Miss Spencer-Horn had seen her mother the day before and had been in good spirits at work the day she was murdered.
Mr McKenna said: "The police recovered texts between the accused and Phoenix, he complained of feeling lonely because of the hours she worked and he apologised."
The court heard a food order was placed around 8pm and Methven "did not appear to be drunk or under the influence by the delivery driver", however in a 999 call he claimed the murder happened when he had a psychotic episode induced by cocaine, alcohol and steroids.
On Tuesday, Methven pleaded guilty to murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice at the High Court in Glasgow.
Mr McKenna said: "Around midnight, downstairs neighbours heard footsteps and increased activities.
"At around that time, or shortly after midnight, the accused attacked Phoenix, compressing her neck and repeated stabbing her."
He told the court at around 2.40am, Methven messaged a drug dealer to seek drugs, and sent similar messages the following day and in the early hours of November 18.
He also exchanged messages with Miss Spencer-Horn's mother, claiming the couple had been "drunk" and that her daughter was asleep, the court heard.
Methven said in one text: "Hey, Phe isn't up yet, I'll get her to text you when she is x."
Prosecutor Mr McKenna said: "In the early hours of that morning, between texting Alison, the accused looked for pornography on his phone.
"The accused, using Phoenix's phone, pretended to be her in messages to Alison."
One message sent from the victim's phone read: "Hey, sorry just woke up xxx."
On November 18, Miss Spencer-Horn was absent from work and could not be contacted. Around midday, Methven made a 999 call and told an operator: "I had a psychotic break and killed my wife."
He said: "We were messing about, I take steroids and was taking cocaine and alcohol, I think there was something else in it… it was f****** horrible."
He was transferred to a senior police officer, and said: "I just want to go to jail," and added: "I'm not violent. I have been out my face, I can't remember what happened. I have been driving about all weekend."
Emergency services discovered Miss Spencer-Horn's mutilated body hidden under a towel. Methven admitted attempting to remove the limbs and torso from her body with a knife or other instrument.
Pathologists believe Miss Spencer-Horn may have been attacked in the bathroom before being dragged into the hall, but a bloodied knife was also found in the bedroom, the court heard.
A post-mortem examination on November 19 established the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.
Defending, Tony Graham KC said Methven had wanted to plead guilty to "provide closure".
Mr Graham added: "Those related to Phoenix, those who were her friends, and society at large, are likely to regard him as the personification of evil.
"He knows those who are related to Phoenix will never forgive him, as he will never forgive himself.
"He can't provide an explanation."
Judge Lord Matthews said: "You pleaded guilty to an appalling crime, the only punishment for which is life imprisonment."
Sentencing will take place on July 14.
Detective Chief Inspector Susie Cairns said: "My thoughts remain with Phoenix's family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened.
"Methven now faces the consequences of his actions.
"Violence such as this is never acceptable in our communities, and we will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Umbrella clue & eerie final CCTV – how woman's killer was finally snared but why he may NEVER reveal darkest secret
SUZANNA Pilley's day started like any other - she took the bus to work, then popped into Sainsburys next to her office. But the 38-year-old bookkeeper was never seen again after being brutally murdered by her lover - and her body has never been found. 11 Suzanne Pilley, 38, disappeared without a trace on her way to work 11 David Gilroy accused of murdering Suzanne and hiding her body in the boot of a car, leaves the High Court in Edinburgh on day one of the trial in 2010 Credit: SWNS Group 11 CCTV footage of Suzanne getting off a bus by Jenners in Princes Street, Edinburgh, on the day she vanished Credit: Lothian & Borders Police While cops initially treated the horrifying case as a missing persons inquiry, it later became a murder investigation after police began to unravel Suzanne's complicated life. They found her former lover, Having moved back in with his wife following the split, he tampered with Suzanne's emails and bombarded her with more than 400 messages, which suddenly stopped when she vanished. Cops believe Suzanne was murdered in the basement of her office block on Thistle Street, Edinburgh where they both worked, before her body was hidden in an alcove while Gilroy returned home to collect his Vauxhall Astra. The callous dad-of-two even kept Suzanne's remains in his car while attending a school play and going for dinner with his family. He is then believed to have driven to Lochgilphead to dump her body - his car was found to have suffered extensive damage from travelling over rough ground that he was unable to explain to police. Despite no body ever being found, Gilroy was convicted in March 2012. He is currently serving a life sentence with a minimum of 18 years. But the monster, now aged 62, continues to maintain his innocence while rotting in jail. Twisted Gilroy previously He added: 'I think I've been denied 'I do believe that I have more than enough to prove my innocence beyond any doubt.' You are the only person who knows where her body is Judge Lord Bracadale In a final insult, Gilroy has never revealed where Suzanne's body is - leading to 15 years of agony for her family. Cops suspect Suzanne's body was buried in Argyll Forest, around 40 miles from Glasgow, but several searches of the area have so far turned up nothing. Judge Lord Bracadale previously told Caging the fiend in 2012, he continued: 'It seems that you are the Now, a criminologist has told The Sun Online why the evil killer may never divulge the grisly secret. Nicole Nyamwiza, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at The University of Law said: "Refusing to reveal the location of a body is a pattern we've seen in several high-profile cases. It's often about control. "Even after conviction, the offender can still dictate the terms of closure. "In the case of David Gilroy, the continued silence keeps the family in a state of suspended grief, and that in itself is a form of harm. This is not unique. 11 11 Images shown in court show scratches on Gilroy's hand that were consistent with a struggle Credit: Handout 11 It is thought Gilroy lured Suzanne to the basement garage (pictured) and killed her Credit: Handout 11 An umbrella, which was seen on the parcel shelf of the killer's car on the way to Lochgilphead, but thought to have been put inside the boot after the body was dumped Credit: PA:Press Association 11 Suzanne and Gilroy seen for the last time together on CCTV in an Edinburgh supermarket, two days before she disappeared Credit: BBC "Ian Simms, who was convicted of murdering Helen McCourt in 1988, never revealed where he left her body. That refusal went on for decades. Despite forensic evidence, despite a conviction, he held on to that final piece of power. "For some individuals, particularly those with controlling or narcissistic tendencies, keeping that information back is deliberate. It sustains attention, preserves denial, or simply continues the exercise of control." Murder convictions where no body is found are rare, and the Pilley case is one of a handful in the UK where the decision has relied on circumstantial evidence. Despite their torment, Suzanne's family have refused to give up and launched Suzanne's Law in her name to stop killers who refuse to disclose the location of a victim's body from getting parole. Nicole added: "There is also a wider issue here about what justice really means. If someone can serve a sentence without ever disclosing what happened to a victim's remains, we have to question how we assess accountability or rehabilitation. "Proposals like Suzanne's Law are an important step. They recognise that justice involves more than time served. For many families, justice starts with being able to bring their loved one home." Chilling CCTV Suzanne and Gilroy had begun their affair in the spring of 2009 and he'd moved into her former council flat just a few streets away from her parents. Speaking during the court case, Suzanne's mother says the pair had a turbulent relationship and that her daughter had struggled to cope with his jealous behaviour. Two days before Suzanne vanished, the bookkeeper and Gilroy were seen on CCTV food shopping near her flat. Police Scotland also tracked the bookkeeper's last movements on the day of her disappearance through CCTV after she was reported missing by her parents. She boarded the No 2 bus near her home in Stenhouse, Edinburgh. at 8.20am, before changing to a No 4 bus. She entered a Sainsbury's at 8.48am and was seen walking into her office at 8.55am. Suzanne was never seen again. Early on, a person of interest was her married colleague and ex-Royal Navy engineer, Gilroy, due to their tumultuous relationship and his refusal to accept that their love affair was over. During his trial, it was heard that Gilroy met Suzanne when she arrived at work the day she went missing. They went to the basement garage and an argument ensued, after which the jury was told there had been a struggle and he had killed the bookkeeper. 11 Robert Pilley holds a picture of his daughter as he speaks about her disappearance before he died in 2019 Credit: PA:Press Association 11 Many searches of the forest have been carried out over the years to no avail Credit: Colin Garvie - The News of the World Glasgow 11 Police believe Suzanne's remains were hidden at Argyll Forest Park Credit: Tom Farmer - The Sun Glasgow The court heard he hid her body while he bought air fresheners, Disturbingly, he attended a school play and The day after Suzanne vanished, Gilroy went on an unplanned trip to Lochgilphead, Argyllshire, 130 miles away, where he had taken his lover for days out in the past. On the way back, police called him in for questioning and spotted scratches on his hand that he tried to cover up with makeup. From then on, he became a prime suspect. Dirt and vegetation on his car wheels suggested he had recently visited a forest - and Gilroy couldn't explain it away. Detectives worked out that he took five hours to drive what should have been a 36 minute journey to Lochgilphead. Cops scoured CCTV once again, tracking Gilroy's movements, and watched as he bought bin bags from a shop. Umbrella clue Street cameras also tracked his car making its way to Lochgilphead, and an umbrella was spotted on the parcel shelf in the boot of the vehicle. On his return journey, the umbrella was no longer there - and cops theorised it had been put back in the boot when the remains were taken out. A dog trained to smell blood and human remains also identified three areas of interest - the basement, and two spots in the boot of Gilroy's car. The evidence was enough for the jury to make a majority verdict after almost three days of deliberation. But nearly 13 years on, one thing remains unsolved - the location of Suzanne's body. Gail Fairgrieve, Suzanne's sister, said in 2019: "For the past decade we have lived in a state of limbo, waiting for the news that Suzanne's body had been found, but we've never been able to get that closure. "We accept that Suzanne was murdered and believe that the person responsible is in prison, but we feel we cannot say a proper goodbye until her body is found. "Both my mother and I want to again thank the public who have continued to contact the police, which has always given us hope that Suzanne has not been forgotten. Please let us give her the burial and send-off she deserves Gail Fairgrieve "We understand that only one person can tell us where Suzanne is but has refused to do so. Police Scotland will respond to any information and are committed to bringing us some form of closure. "Their investigation can only conclude when Suzanne is found and so I would plead with anyone who knows something but hasn't come forward to search their conscience and get in touch. "Not for our sake, but for Suzanne's. Please let us give her the burial and send-off she deserves." Police Scotland said: "We remain committed to finding these answers for Suzanne's mother, Sylvia and sister, Gail." In another brutal blow for the family, Time is ticking to finally bring Suzanne home to her remaining loved ones - but it seems certain that her callous killer will look to take his secret to the grave. Those with information are asked to contact Police Scotland via 101. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Irish Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man admits murdering and beheading girlfriend
A man has admitted murdering and decapitating his 21-year-old girlfriend before texting her mother pretending to be her and searching for internet pornography. Ewan Methven, now 27, murdered Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, in the home they shared on November 16 last year, after the couple ordered a takeaway to their flat in Glen Lee, 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 waitress shifts made him "lonely", and she had exchanged messages with her mother, Alison Spencer, at around 9.37pm, saying they were eating dinner. The couple had been together for two years and met at a family party, the High Court in Glasgow was told. At around midnight on the Saturday, Methven attacked Miss Spencer-Horn with three knives, stabbing her 20 times, before mutilating her body and severing her head with three knives, the court heard. He spent the weekend driving Miss Spencer-Horn's red Corsa, scrolling through her phone and searching for internet pornography, as well as making several attempts to buy cocaine, according to prosecutors. Prosecutor Christopher McKenna said: "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 heard Miss Spencer-Horn had seen her mother the day before and had been in good spirits at work the day she was murdered. Mr McKenna said: "The police recovered texts between the accused and Phoenix, he complained of feeling lonely because of the hours she worked and he apologised." The court heard a food order was placed around 8pm and Methven "did not appear to be drunk or under the influence by the delivery driver", however in a 999 call he claimed the murder happened when he had a psychotic episode induced by cocaine, alcohol and steroids. On Tuesday, Methven pleaded guilty to murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice at the High Court in Glasgow. Mr McKenna said: "Around midnight, downstairs neighbours heard footsteps and increased activities. "At around that time, or shortly after midnight, the accused attacked Phoenix, compressing her neck and repeated stabbing her." He told the court at around 2.40am, Methven messaged a drug dealer to seek drugs, and sent similar messages the following day and in the early hours of November 18. He also exchanged messages with Miss Spencer-Horn's mother, claiming the couple had been "drunk" and that her daughter was asleep, the court heard. Methven said in one text: "Hey, Phe isn't up yet, I'll get her to text you when she is x." Prosecutor Mr McKenna said: "In the early hours of that morning, between texting Alison, the accused looked for pornography on his phone. "The accused, using Phoenix's phone, pretended to be her in messages to Alison." One message sent from the victim's phone read: "Hey, sorry just woke up xxx." On November 18, Miss Spencer-Horn was absent from work and could not be contacted. Around midday, Methven made a 999 call and told an operator: "I had a psychotic break and killed my wife." He said: "We were messing about, I take steroids and was taking cocaine and alcohol, I think there was something else in it… it was f****** horrible." He was transferred to a senior police officer, and said: "I just want to go to jail," and added: "I'm not violent. I have been out my face, I can't remember what happened. I have been driving about all weekend." Emergency services discovered Miss Spencer-Horn's mutilated body hidden under a towel. Methven admitted attempting to remove the limbs and torso from her body with a knife or other instrument. Pathologists believe Miss Spencer-Horn may have been attacked in the bathroom before being dragged into the hall, but a bloodied knife was also found in the bedroom, the court heard. A post-mortem examination on November 19 established the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest. Defending, Tony Graham KC said Methven had wanted to plead guilty to "provide closure". Mr Graham added: "Those related to Phoenix, those who were her friends, and society at large, are likely to regard him as the personification of evil. "He knows those who are related to Phoenix will never forgive him, as he will never forgive himself. "He can't provide an explanation." Judge Lord Matthews said: "You pleaded guilty to an appalling crime, the only punishment for which is life imprisonment." Sentencing will take place on July 14. Detective Chief Inspector Susie Cairns said: "My thoughts remain with Phoenix's family and friends as they continue to try to come to terms with what happened. "Methven now faces the consequences of his actions. "Violence such as this is never acceptable in our communities, and we will work tirelessly to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Dublin teens accused of ‘savage' machine gun raid freed due to overcrowding
One of the boys – released on Saturday night – failed to attend his next court hearing today, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest Lack of space at the State's main youth detention centre resulted in two Dublin teenagers accused of being armed with a machine gun during a burglary being freed at the weekend, it has emerged. One of the boys – released on Saturday night – failed to attend his next court hearing today, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. The 17-year-old boys and two men had been refused bail on Saturday after a judge heard a 60-year-old man was "savagely" beaten in front of his terrified family when machine gun-armed intruders forced entry into their home in Shankill, Co Dublin, on June 11. All four were charged with aggravated burglary and unlawful possession of a Czechoslovakian-made 9mm Skorpian machine pistol. Following their District Court appearance on Saturday, it transpired that the Oberstown Detention Campus in Dublin had no room to take the two youths despite the judge's decision. Gardai held them until their lawyers launched habeas corpus, a legal mechanism to challenge unlawful detention, in the High Court on Saturday night. That led to a temporary "workaround" order releasing the pair on bail and subject to "house arrest" until their appearance today at the Children's Court. The boys, from north Dublin, cannot be named because they are minors. Today, Judge Brendan Toale ordered gardai to arrest the one who did not turn up. Noting there were still no remand beds available in the detention centre, he had to grant the co-accused teenager bail pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions· Judge Brendan Toale highlighted how the lack of room in the detention facility had become a constant problem for the courts. "This whole situation arises where the lack of place in Oberstown is an ongoing difficulty; it has been going on certainly for the last six months at a high level when, more often than not, there are no beds available, and where there was a refusal of bail," he stated before he was forced to send the boy home. The teenager, who has yet to enter a plea, was accompanied to court by relatives and ordered to obey a 10 pm – 6 am curfew at his home, stay contactable by phone, remain out of the Shankill area, not contact witnesses, surrender his passport within 48 hours and not apply for alternative travel documents. He will appear again in four weeks. Skorpion gun. Stock photo: Getty News in 90 seconds - 16th June 2025 Adult co-defendants Sean Doran, 26, of Earl Street South and widower Gregory Dunne, 60, from Oliver Bond Flats, both in Dublin 8, were remanded in prison custody on Saturday and are back in court later this week. Dublin District Court heard on Saturday that the Garda ballistics section stated the gun was "capable of full automatic firing", and the burglary and gun charges can carry possible life sentences. Mr Doran has an additional charge of assault causing harm to the 60-year-old homeowner, who suffered lacerations from blows to his face and head. In bail objections, evidence stated that he, his wife, aged 63, and their 35-year-old son were in "grave fear" they would not remain in the house and had since moved to a hotel, At the bail hearings, garda witnesses stated the four acted in joint enterprise. It was alleged that the two masked teens in puffer jackets travelled to the house on an e-bike while Mr Doran came in a 2007-reg Honda Accord car driven by Mr Dunne. The teenager who showed up to court yesterday/today was said to have had a black face cover and approached the house. It was claimed that he removed the gun from the front of his trousers and "pointed" it at the family through the window. The proceedings were informed that the boys allegedly "forced" their way in the front door while Mr Doran came through a rear entrance before the homeowner was "savagely" beaten. Detective Garda Michael Murphy claimed Mr Doran delivered punches and kicks to the man's head and face, and there were bloodstains on the accused's footwear. Detective Garda Darragh Phelan said the second teenager used boxer shorts as a balaclava and left with the gun on an e-bike. A civilian witness was said to have observed him discarding it before he allegedly drove onto the M50, where he crashed between Junction 12 and 13 and was arrested. That teenager failed to turn up for his hearing today. The bail hearings were also informed that gardai responded to a call from the couple's son, who was in a state of distress, saying, "A number of males were attacking his parents' home, and one had a gun; the male pointed the gun and directed it them". Gardai testified that a commotion could be heard over the phone line. The car was stopped close nearby and armed support officers arrived and arrested three of the defendants.
