A recently-divorced mother was swept off her feet by a seemingly charming new partner who lavished her with gifts, only for the relationship to descend into a nightmare of abuse and violence. Simon McKeown, 46, of Edgehill Road in Moreton, Wirral, was sentenced to 31 months in prison after admitting a series of assaults against the woman, whom he met in December 2024.
Initial Charm and Gifts
The woman, who had recently ended a 16-year marriage, met McKeown at the Grange pub in Moreton. They exchanged numbers and soon began dating. Prosecuting, Suzanne Payne told Liverpool Crown Court that the relationship started well: "The defendant was charming. He took the victim out for nice meals. In those first couple of weeks, things were good. In her words, 'I fell for him, head over heels'."
However, tensions arose over the Christmas period, leading the victim to cancel a planned New Year's Eve meal where she intended to introduce McKeown to her son. McKeown instead booked a room at the Baltic Hotel. The evening started well, but he left her alone around 9:30pm without explanation. He returned 90 minutes later with flowers and whisky. When she FaceTimed her 21-year-old son and spoke to his friend, laughing and joking, McKeown accused her of fancying her son's mate. He then slapped her across the face, causing her to fall off the bed.
Escalating Violence
Although she ended the relationship the next day, she eventually forgave him and they resumed dating. But the violence continued. On one occasion, when she tried to leave after an argument, he pulled her back into his garden and placed a puppy pad soaked in urine over her face, leaving her struggling to breathe. He then threw her to the floor and went inside.
McKeown would try to win her over with gifts, such as trainers, a hoodie, and leggings. Yet his jealousy and control persisted. During a night out in Liverpool, he dragged her outside after she spoke to another woman, accusing her of swapping numbers. Another time, after she enjoyed a spa day with friends, he banged on her door in the early hours, accusing her of having another man in the house.
In September 2025, after she attended a pop-up DJ event, he became enraged when she showed him a video of herself behind the DJ booth. He threw her around the room, calling her a slag and accusing her of sleeping with the DJ. She tried to flee repeatedly, but he dragged her back each time. She eventually pretended to call the police, and he fled.
Desperate Escape
Later, McKeown threatened her son, forcing her to join him in his van. When he stopped in traffic, she jumped out and ran into the Kings Arms pub in Rock Ferry for help. But she was ordered to leave and returned to his van. He then drove to the Acorn pub in Bebington, where she again ran inside seeking help from staff. McKeown drove away but returned, screaming at her and swiping a glass from her hand. He then turned his anger on staff member Rhiannon Kennedy, screaming in her face and invading her personal space.
McKeown left again but called the pub demanding to speak to his partner. He returned half an hour later, acting aggressively. Another worker, Joel Clarke, tried to calm things down, but McKeown grabbed Ms. Kennedy's shoulder and screamed in her face. When Clarke intervened, McKeown grabbed him by the neck and pushed him backwards by his throat. He was arrested later that day.
Impact on Victim
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said she lost her job and became estranged from her son due to the relationship. She described herself as "vulnerable and emotional" after her divorce. "Initially, Simon was attentive and affectionate, presenting as the ideal partner. I now recognise his behaviour as love bombing. It was not genuine. As the relationship progressed, this façade quickly gave way to controlling and abusive behaviour."
She added: "Within about two months, my life changed dramatically. Everything began to unravel. I lost my job, my relationship with my son broke down. Over the 10 months, I felt emotionally drained, worn down, and broken." Regarding the puppy pad incident, she said: "Afterwards, I felt physically sick, violated, and unable to get rid of the smell. He later laughed about incidents such as this and then used them to taunt me."
Defendant's Background
McKeown had nine previous convictions for 14 offences, including eight months for dangerous driving in 2019. His defence lawyer, Helen Chenery, said he apologized to his victims and acknowledged his behavior was serious. She noted he had been in custody for eight months, working in the kitchen and playing for the prison football team. "He does not want to sit in his cell and languish. He has been reflecting on his behaviour and has acknowledged his offending."
Sentencing, Recorder Ben Lawrence said: "She describes a lasting psychological impact. She found the assault with the puppy pad particularly degrading. She felt helpless because it restricted her breathing." He noted some acceptance of responsibility but said McKeown seemed to blame the victim and claimed self-defense.
McKeown was jailed for 31 months and handed a five-year restraining order for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and four counts of assault.
