A judge reprimanded a father for vaping as he was sentenced to prison for domestic abuse. Simon McKeown, 46, subjected his girlfriend to a series of cruel and demeaning assaults, including battering her in a hotel and placing a soiled puppy pad over her face.
Background of the Relationship
The victim, a newly divorced mother, met McKeown at the Grange pub in Moreton, Wirral, in December 2024. Initially, he was charming and took her out for nice meals. She said, "I fell for him, head over heels." However, the relationship quickly turned abusive.
First Assault
On New Year's Eve, McKeown booked a hotel room but left her alone at 9:30pm. He returned 90 minutes later with flowers and whisky. After she FaceTimed her son and a friend, McKeown accused her of fancying her son's friend and slapped her, causing her to fall off the bed. She ended the relationship the next day but later forgave him.
Escalation of Violence
The abuse continued. On one occasion, when she tried to leave, he pulled her back into the garden and placed a urine-soaked puppy pad over her face, leaving her struggling to breathe. He then threw her to the floor. He later bought her gifts to win her back.
During a night out in Liverpool, he dragged her outside after she spoke to another woman. In September, he accused her of having another man and banged on her door. Another time, he became angry when she showed him a video of her behind a DJ booth, throwing her around the room and calling her derogatory names. She tried to flee but he dragged her back each time.
Public Incidents
After one assault, she jumped out of his van and ran into a pub for help. Later, he forced her to go to a restaurant, where she ran inside seeking assistance. He screamed at her and a staff member, and grabbed another staff member by the neck.
Impact on the Victim
In a statement, the victim said she lost her job as a social worker and became estranged from her son. She described feeling "emotionally drained" and "broken." She said McKeown never took accountability for his actions.
Court Proceedings
McKeown admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and four counts of assault. He had nine previous convictions for 14 offences. His defense lawyer said he apologized and was reflecting on his behavior.
Recorder Ben Lawrence sentenced him to 31 months in prison and issued a five-year restraining order. During the hearing, the judge noticed McKeown vaping and said, "Unimpressive behaviour, Mr McKeown. It does nothing to dissuade me from the decision I have made in your case."
