A violent MMA fan murdered his girlfriend after treating her like a punchbag during their eight-month relationship. Kevin Mannion, who had a horrific history of violence, stabbed 22-year-old Elinor O'Brien after she questioned him about seeing other women.
The 45-year-old flew into a "rageful and violent attack" when an argument broke out in his Manchester city centre apartment on August 16, 2022, reports Manchester Evening News.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how Mannion murdered Miss O'Brien after violently assaulting her several times throughout their short relationship. Just 48 hours before Miss O'Brien's death, the thug stabbed her in the breast.
It was reported the victim had complained to police previously about being domestically abused, but was too scared to give Mannion's name. After the brutal attack, Manion called 999 and claimed she had been accidentally "pierced" by "something in her belongings" when he had thrown her bags at her during an argument.
Even as he was questioned by police, his attitude towards a woman he claimed to love was clear - the cocaine-fuelled thug constantly referred to Miss O'Brien as "the girl", or "that girl". Mannion had already called his solicitor to make sure he was ready for the inevitable court case.
And as Mannion concocted increasingly desperate lies in a selfish bid to save his own skin, it was obvious tha Miss O'Brien, a young woman more than two decades his junior, was terrified of him. She did everything she could to avoid Mannion's vengeful wrath, knowing just what he was capable of.
When questioned by friends and family about injuries she'd suffered at Mannion's hand, Miss O'Brien invented a violent ex-boyfriend to try and explain away the black eyes and bruises. She used a false name at hospital, and was petrified at the thought of being seen with police and labelled a "grass".
She also made up stories to cover for Mannion's violent rages. Even as Miss O'Brien lay in an ambulance fighting for her life, she refused to name the man who had inflicted what would prove to be a fatal injury.
At his murder trial, Mannion said he had no idea how Miss O'Brien had been injured, and insisted he had found her lying in the hallway outside the flat before getting help.
But a jury saw through his lies and found him guilty of murder; wounding with intent; and coercive or controlling behaviour. Mannion showed no emotion as the jury returned its unanimous verdicts after a day of deliberation.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC told Mannion: "The only sentence that I can impose on count 1 [murder] on this indictment is life imprisonment. I have to determine the minimum term and I need some help from all counsel."
The trial heard that after the killing, Mannion told interviewing officers that he and Miss O'Brien had argued after she asked if he was seeing other women, when he failed to respond to a number of texts. In the weeks before he stabbed Miss O'Brien, Mannion had revealed that another woman he had been seeing had told him she was pregnant.
Mannion and Miss O'Brien had first known each other as friends, but then decided to embark on a relationship. The pair bonded over a shared interest in fitness and the gym, and would attend classes including circuits and MMA - mixed martial arts.
At the time of her death, Miss O'Brien friends paid tribute to her. One posted on Facebook: "We will miss you Eli, beautiful inside and out. Taken too early. May you rest in peace now."
Another said: "Elinor was a beautiful young girl with the rest of her life ahead of her. "She was loved by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting her, she lit up the room with her infectious smile and laughter. Many hearts have been shattered and will never be the same. RIP our angel."
Mannion will be sentenced on March 9.
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