Just days before murdering his girlfriend in a “rageful and violent attack,” an MMA fan stabbed her in the breast.
On August 14, last year, Kevin Mannion assaulted his partner Elinor O’Brien.
After the couple argued, he carried out a fatal attack two days later.
Elinor asked Mannion if he was seeing other women, which sparked a fight in his Manchester apartment.
It comes after Mannion revealed that another woman he had been seeing had told him a few weeks before that she was pregnant.
Mannion, 45, then flew into a rage and stabbed Elinor in the groyne.
Before they started attending gym classes together, which included circuits, MMA, and mixed martial arts, the two were friends.
They then decided to get married.
Several assaults were carried out on Elinor, 22, during the eight-month relationship, according to Liverpool Crown Court.
The young woman had reported the domestic abuse to police, but she was too afraid to name Mannion as the perpetrator.
Elinor even made up a violent ex-boyfriend to explain her bruises and black eyes to family and friends.
When she needed hospital treatment for her injuries, she also used a false name.
Mannion, who has a history of violence, dialled 911 shortly before 12.30 p.m. on August 16 after his final attack.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the thug told police Elinor was “pierced” by “something in her belongings” when he threw her bags at her during a fight.
During his murder trial, Mannion claimed that he discovered Elinor in the hallway outside his flat before calling for help.
After three weeks, however, the jury found him guilty of murder, intentional wounding, and coercive or controlling behaviour.
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.”
Elinor’s family have since paid tribute to her.
Cousin Mollie Lune said: “Elinor was absolutely beautiful, stunning, she had her whole life ahead of her, and it was cruelly snatched away.
“Her funeral was absolutely packed with her friends and family, all distraught.
“We threw vapes onto her coffin, along with the roses.
“She would have smiled at that. We all miss her so much.
“All we can hope for now is to save another life, in her name.”
Mannion, of Watson Street, Manchester, will be sentenced on Thursday.
