Postman who beheaded girlfriend then texted her mum jailed for 23 years

A postman who beheaded his girlfriend then coldly texted her mum has been jailed for life.

Ewan Methven faces a minimum of 23 years behind bars after admitting murdering his 21-year-old girlfriend Phoenix Spencer-Horn. Methven savagely killed his victim in the home they shared in on November 16 last year.

He also admitted decapitating Phoenix's body and texting her mother, pretending to be her.

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The High Court in Glasgow heard he killed her after the couple ordered a takeaway to their flat 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.

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.”

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.

Last week, Methven pleaded guilty to murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

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.”

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.”