DECLAN MCKEOWN OF BIRMINGHAM SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR COERCIVE BEHAVIOR

Declan McKeown, a 35-year-old resident of Birmingham, has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after admitting to controlling and coercive conduct towards his girlfriend. He threatened her with serious violence, stating he would 'chop her up and put her in the freezer,' which caused her to fear for her life and avoid opening the freezer out of concern she might see body parts.

Prosecutor Theresa Hunt explained that McKeown engaged in emotional abuse, forcing his partner to delete friends from social media and verbally abusing her. 'She was constantly walking on eggshells around him,' Hunt said during court proceedings.

The case also revealed that McKeown possessed dangerous weapons, including a flick knife and a tomahawk axe, which heightened the severity of his threats. Judge Melbourne Inman KC, delivering the sentence, stated that McKeown’s claims of previous similar acts were 'not true,' but nonetheless acknowledged that his threats had a significant impact, frightening the victim considerably.

Additionally, a six-year restraining order was imposed to prevent any contact between McKeown and his victim.

During the hearing, defense representative Nicole Steers highlighted that McKeown was under considerable stress due to financial difficulties and his partner’s drug addiction. She conveyed his remorse, stating, 'He does want me to reiterate and for it certainly to be passed on to the victim that he is extremely sorry for his behaviour.'