Latest news with #Spencer-Horn
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
Ewan Methven: Scottish postman admits to cutting girlfriend Phoenix Spencer-Horn's head off
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT A Scottish postman has been described as 'the personification of evil' after admitting to cutting his girlfriend's head off in a barbaric murder that has shocked the small nation. After stating his actions were part of a drug-induced psychotic episode, Ewan Methven murdered his partner Phoenix Spencer-Horn in the apartment the two shared in Lanarkshire, Scotland in 2024. Mr Methven tried to convince investigators that he could not remember anything about the killing as he had been affected by drugs and blacked out while committing the gruesome acts. The timeline presented to a court tells a very different story after prosecutors said Mr Methven, a 27-year-old postman, called the 999 distress number for emergency services to report the murder. Authorities claimed that Mr Methven had mutilated Ms Spencer-Horn's body, possibly for days after she was dead, and even spoke to her mother, pretending she was still alive. The Daily Mail UK reported a hearing in the Glasgow High Court was convened this week to decide Mr Methven's fate, with family and friends of Ms Spencer-Horn on hand to listen to the harrowing details of her death. Neighbours had told police they heard heard loud noises coming from the home at around midnight on the evening of the murder the court was told. 'At that time, around or shortly after midnight on November 16 through to November 17, 2024, Methven attacked Phoenix by compressing her neck and repeatedly stabbing her to the head and body,' Police Prosecutor Chris McKenna reportedly said. 'Phoenix's naked and mutilated body with her head decapitated was discovered by police covered up within the hall of their home. 'An attempt had also been made by him to sever her torso, right wrist and ankle from her body. 'There were two bloodstained knives lying next to the mutilated body. A further bloodstained knife was found discarded in the bedroom.' Mr Methven has now admitted to committing the heinous offences against his partner and faces life in jail. Circumstances leading up to the murder were described in court as normal, with the two both working on the Saturday in question and returning home to share a meal and 'chill' as Mr Methven described their plans to work colleague on the day. Evidence in court mentioned Ms Spencer-Horn spoke to her mother and reportedly told her she was staying at home for the evening. After the murder, police alleged Mr Methven spent hours watching porn on the internet and organised drug purchases. The following morning, Ms Spencer-Horn's mother, Alison Spencer, tried to contact her daughter via text to which Mr Methven replied: 'Hey sorry I've just woken up xxx', and that Ms Spencer-Horn was 'all good'. Two days after the murder, Mr Methven reportedly called 999 and spoke to emergency operators, telling them he believed he had taken steroids and cocaine which may have been spiked and he thought he had killed his girlfriend. When asked to descibe the scene on the call, Mr Methven replied: 'It was horrible.' 'I know she is dead, mate - she is dead,' he added. After police responded to the call, Mr Methven was taken into custody and the court heard he told the arresting officers' 'I could not stay here with her like that. I tried to dismember her. I moved her from the bath and put her there.' An autopsy revealed Ms Spencer-Horn suffered 20 stab wounds including the fatal wound to the chest. 'Those related to Phoenix and those who are friends are likely to regard Ewan Methven as the personification of evil,' Mr Mehtven's lawyer Tony Graham reportedly told the court. 'While of little moment, he wishes to express publicly how truly sorry he is for the death. 'He recognises the relatives and friends will never be able to forgive him. He will not be able to forgive himself. 'He understands the bereaved will seek an explanation, but he cannot provide an explanation.' Mr Methven is due to be sentenced on 14 July.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Perth Now
Postman decapitates girlfriend and blames spiked drugs
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT A Scottish postman has been described as 'the personification of evil' after admitting to cutting his girlfriend's head off in a barbaric murder that has shocked the small nation. After stating his actions were part of a drug-induced psychotic episode, Ewan Methven murdered his partner Phoenix Spencer-Horn in the apartment the two shared in Lanarkshire, Scotland in 2024. Mr Methven tried to convince investigators that he could not remember anything about the killing as he had been affected by drugs and blacked out while committing the gruesome acts. The timeline presented to a court tells a very different story after prosecutors said Mr Methven, a 27-year-old postman, called the 999 distress number for emergency services to report the murder. Authorities claimed that Mr Methven had mutilated Ms Spencer-Horn's body, possibly for days after she was dead, and even spoke to her mother, pretending she was still alive. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. The Daily Mail UK reported a hearing in the Glasgow High Court was convened this week to decide Mr Methven's fate, with family and friends of Ms Spencer-Horn on hand to listen to the harrowing details of her death. Neighbours had told police they heard heard loud noises coming from the home at around midnight on the evening of the murder the court was told. 'At that time, around or shortly after midnight on November 16 through to November 17, 2024, Methven attacked Phoenix by compressing her neck and repeatedly stabbing her to the head and body,' Police Prosecutor Chris McKenna reportedly said. 'Phoenix's naked and mutilated body with her head decapitated was discovered by police covered up within the hall of their home. 'An attempt had also been made by him to sever her torso, right wrist and ankle from her body. 'There were two bloodstained knives lying next to the mutilated body. A further bloodstained knife was found discarded in the bedroom.' Mr Methven has now admitted to committing the heinous offences against his partner and faces life in jail. Circumstances leading up to the murder were described in court as normal, with the two both working on the Saturday in question and returning home to share a meal and 'chill' as Mr Methven described their plans to work colleague on the day. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. Evidence in court mentioned Ms Spencer-Horn spoke to her mother and reportedly told her she was staying at home for the evening. After the murder, police alleged Mr Methven spent hours watching porn on the internet and organised drug purchases. The following morning, Ms Spencer-Horn's mother, Alison Spencer, tried to contact her daughter via text to which Mr Methven replied: 'Hey sorry I've just woken up xxx', and that Ms Spencer-Horn was 'all good'. Two days after the murder, Mr Methven reportedly called 999 and spoke to emergency operators, telling them he believed he had taken steroids and cocaine which may have been spiked and he thought he had killed his girlfriend. When asked to descibe the scene on the call, Mr Methven replied: 'It was horrible.' 'I know she is dead, mate - she is dead,' he added. After police responded to the call, Mr Methven was taken into custody and the court heard he told the arresting officers' 'I could not stay here with her like that. I tried to dismember her. I moved her from the bath and put her there.' An autopsy revealed Ms Spencer-Horn suffered 20 stab wounds including the fatal wound to the chest. 'Those related to Phoenix and those who are friends are likely to regard Ewan Methven as the personification of evil,' Mr Mehtven's lawyer Tony Graham reportedly told the court. 'While of little moment, he wishes to express publicly how truly sorry he is for the death. 'He recognises the relatives and friends will never be able to forgive him. He will not be able to forgive himself. 'He understands the bereaved will seek an explanation, but he cannot provide an explanation.' Mr Methven is due to be sentenced on 14 July.
ITV News
3 days ago
- ITV News
Scottish postman admits brutally murdering girlfriend
A man has admitted murdering and decapitating his 21-year-old girlfriend before texting her mother pretending to be her. 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, the court heard. Prosecutors revealed he dialled 999 on November 18, two days after he attacked Ms Spencer-Horn. The court heard Ms Spencer-Horn had seen her mother the day before and had been in good spirits at work the day she was murdered. 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. Prosecutor Christopher McKenna 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 Ms 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.' On November 18, Ms 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 Ms 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 Ms 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. 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.
Sky News
3 days ago
- Sky News
Man, 27, pleads guilty to murdering and decapitating girlfriend
A man has admitted murdering and decapitating his girlfriend before texting her mum pretending to be her in a bid to cover up his crime. Ewan Methven, 27, killed Phoenix Spencer-Horn, 21, at the home they shared after the couple ordered a takeaway to their flat in East Kilbride's Glen Lee, South Lanarkshire, on 16 November 2024. The High Court in Glasgow heard how Methven, who worked as a postman for Royal Mail, had complained earlier that day his partner's waitress shifts made him "lonely". The couple were said to have been together for two years and met at a family party. At around midnight on 16 November, prosecutors say Methven attacked Ms Spencer-Horn with three knives, stabbing her 20 times, before mutilating her body and severing her head. He then spent the weekend driving Ms Spencer-Horn's red Corsa, scrolling through her phone and searching for internet pornography, as well as making several attempts to buy cocaine. Prosecutor Christopher McKenna said: "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 that Ms Spencer-Horn had seen her mother the day before she was murdered and had been in good spirits at work. 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 that 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 that the murder happened when he had a psychotic episode induced by cocaine, alcohol and steroids. Methven pleaded guilty to murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday. He will be sentenced next month. 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."
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Man admits murdering and beheading girlfriend
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. 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 Ms 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 that 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 that 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 that 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.
