Mum of murdered Phoenix Spencer-Horn says killer should spend 'rest of his life behind bars'

The mum of a woman who was murdered by her boyfriend has said that “horror movies do not compare” to what happened to her daughter.

Phoenix Spencer-Horn’s body was found at a home she shared with partner Ewan Methven in Glen Lee, East Kilbride, in November last year.

Prosecutors said the 27-year-old fatally attacked Ms Spencer-Horn, 21, by repeatedly stabbing her to the head and body.

Methven mutilated the young woman’s body and failed to alert emergency services until two days later.

He was jailed for a minimum of 23 years at the High Court in Glasgow in July.

Alison Spencer, of Strathaven, said that she hopes that Methven “spends his life behind bars”.

‘Those visions will stick with him’

Methven murdered Ms Spencer-Horn after the couple ordered a takeaway to their flat on a Saturday night.

The couple had been together for two years and met at a family party.

The 27-year-old, 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 Alison at around 9.37pm on the night of her death, saying they were eating dinner.

Speaking to local radio station Avondale Radio on Saturday, Mrs Spencer said that she wants visions of what he did to “stick with him forever”.

“He has a minimum of 23 years to reflect, and has the visions and memories”, she said. “His sentence is just a number, but from now until 2047 is a very long time.

“I want him to spend his life behind bars, paying for what he has done to our Phe.

“Lord Judge Matthews was very fair in his sentencing to Methven, advocate depute Chris McKenna and all the team did such a thorough job, hard work on this gruesome and horrific case.

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Man who murdered girlfriend and tried to cover it up jailed for 23 years

Phoenix Spencer-Horn’s body was found in East Kilbride in November last year.

“My husband and Phe’s fantastic step-dad, myself, her auntie and uncle spent a lot of time and hard work on our impact statements which were the hardest trauma to relive and I know for myself and my husband it was the hardest thing we’ve ever had to write and it took me months before and after discovering what actually happened to our beloved daughter.

“Horrific is not the word. I’ve watched horror movies, and it is nothing compared to what I heard about what he did to our beautiful Phe.

“Those visions will stick with him forever. All that keeps me going is that she didn’t suffer.”

Following Phoenix’s death, a fundraiser was set up to help with funeral costs, with thousands also donated to Women’s Aid across Scotland.

‘She lit up every room’

Alison is now dedicating her time to helping keep women safe from domestic abuse, determined that no other family should go through the same tragedy as hers.

After Ms Spencer-Horn’s death, a fundraising page amassed thousands of pounds to help with funeral costs, which her family donated much of to the Women’s Aid charity.

This month, family, friends, and colleagues – calling themselves Phe’s Angel Fighters – took on the 21-mile Edinburgh Kiltwalk in Phoenix’s name. Their efforts raised more than £23,700 in support of Glasgow Women’s Aid.

Phoenix’s memory was also honoured at last month’s Strathaven Balloon Festival, where organisers dedicated their evening glow to her.

Alison said that her legacy will live on through all the fundraising the family has achieved.

“There really was no writing on the wall with Phoenix”, she added. “There was no domestic abuse. We were very close, best of friends.

“We had lots of chats, and I would have pulled her out there straight away, kicking and screaming. But at least she’s safe away from him now.

“We’ve all got each other helping us through, but overall, Phe is guiding us through living each day and navigating with her immense bright light all around us.

“She shines on in so many ways.

“It will now be incredible to help women in and around Glasgow impacted by domestic violence, not just physical, but mental as well.

“Controlling behaviours are the first signs. Watch out for these signs, families, and the women themselves, respect and your gut instinct.”