A vile thug who attacked his girlfriend while she was recovering in hospital after giving birth to their baby and stalked her using a fake Facebook account under the alias “Bobby Firmino”, has been handed a prison sentence. Neil Jones subjected his partner to a series of horrific attacks over approximately two years, including repeatedly assaulting her while she was pregnant with his child.

The youth club volunteer’s “despicable” behaviour continued within hours of her giving birth, when he punched her in the face as their new-born son lay next to her in his cot. Two women stormed out of the sentencing on Monday, branding the victim a “grass” before violent scenes broke out following the domestic abuser’s imprisonment.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday that Olivia McMahon had been in a relationship with Jones, of Saltergate Road in Dingle, for around two years, but their relationship reportedly “changed” after he lost his job in November 2022. The 28-year-old first became violent on December 4 that year after the couple argued about her talking to another man while they were at the Christmas markets in Liverpool city centre.

Prosecutor Shannon Stewart described how Jones dragged the complainant down a side street before kicking and punching her. Ms McMahon managed to escape but was found by Jones after being denied entry to a taxi.

The Liverpool Echo reported how the court heard the harrowing tale of how the man escorted his partner to his family’s residence, where he began to strangle her and wielded a knife. As she took cover in the bathroom, he hammered on the locked door while shouting threats such as “I’ll kill you.”

Throughout their relationship, Jones reportedly subjected Ms McMahon to physical violence during disputes by hitting her head, kicking and pinching her.

On December 5, 2023, he even bit her face. Then, brutal aggression continued on January 5 when he shoved and punched her on the arm – just days before she discovered she was expecting his baby.

However, knowledge of her pregnancy did not deter Jones, who left her with a black eye after another punch to her face on April 26. He struck her again on May 29, causing a laceration near her ear.

His supporters in the public gallery were issued with a warning by Recorder David Knifton KC at this stage after one woman was heard remarking “you’re a grass”. Ms Stewart then continued to document the episodes of violence suffering by an expectant Ms McMahon, including being strangled during assaults.

Then, after she had given birth to their son on September 22, Jones “became aggressive” towards a nurse. A short time later, he then punched the mum in the face while the new born baby lay in a cot beside her.

Ms McMahon bravely ended the toxic relationship in December 2024, but Jones wouldn’t let go, bombarding her with relentless messages and calls from hidden numbers. He even set up a Facebook profile under the name “Bobby Firmino”, mimicking the ex-Liverpool FC star, to stalk her online, demanding to know her whereabouts.

In a chilling phone threat, he vowed to “get someone to rape her”, “come to her house with a knife and kill her” and “rape her and rip her throat out”. Over the Christmas period, Jones’s obsession peaked as he tried to contact Ms McMahon around 400 times before the authorities arrested him on January 5.

She told the court in a statement from the witness box: “My mental health has deteriorated significantly because of the ongoing abuse. I was too scared to leave him because of the constant threats I received.

“I stopped seeing family and friends out of fear that something would happen to them. Since the abuse, I feel as if I’m constantly walking on eggshells and riddled with anxiety.

“I’ve received multiple messages calling me names and telling me ‘snitches get stitches’. I’m not a grass.”

Two women then left court, with one heard to remark “grass” as she did so while Ms McMahon sat in tears. Jones has three previous convictions for six offences, including possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, with his last brush with the law seeing him handed a community order for dangerous driving in 2016.

Olivia Belle, defending, said on his behalf: “He has accepted full responsibility for his actions. To his nearest and dearest, this offending has come as quite a massive shock to them.

“He has no violence on his record and has stayed out of trouble for most of his life. He is a hard working man. He has always enjoyed labouring. Prior to his remand, he worked with machinery and on windmills.

“He volunteered with Old Swan Youth Club and helped to provide food for children in the community. He is known as being dependable and well liked. He was involved in a road traffic accident last year. He fractured his skull and is now partially deaf.

“Mr Jones wishes to offer an apology to her. He has presented as emotional and offers his deepest regret for his actions. He wishes for a better life upon release, devoting time to his son and becoming a father.”

Jones admitted engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour, stalking involving fear of violence and making threats to kill. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a grey Berghaus tracksuit top, he was jailed for 30 months and handed a 10-year restraining order.

Sentencing, Recorder Knifton said: “The background to this offending follows an all too familiar pattern. Initially, it appears to have been a happy and normal relationship. Unfortunately, it turned sour.

“You became controlling and coercive towards her, preventing her from using social media and restricting her use of her mobile phone. More seriously, your behaviour developed into violent incidents towards her extending over a period of two years. Many of the assaults occurred during a period when was was pregnant with your child.

“She finally decided to end the relationship. You thereafter constantly messaged, called or attempted to contact her over social media despite being told that she wanted nothing to do with you.

“You made vile and abusive threats towards her, including threats to rape her and kill her with a knife. I have listened to a recording of that call. Your conduct is utterly despicable.

“Despite her fear of repercussions, she had the courage to report matters to the police. She became scared to leave her address. She feared for the safety of her friends and family and isolated herself from them.

“She describes herself as having changed from being an outgoing, confident and bubbly person to one who is scared and riddled with anxiety. That is the legacy of your conduct towards her.

“I bear in mind that you have no convictions since 2016, when you were 19 years of age. I note that you have an offer of employment with a demolition company when you are eventually released from custody.

“I have read a helpful letter from your parents. They explain that you have struggled to contain your emotions due to untreated ADHD. They say that you have a good heart and a strong desire to make positive changes in your life. That material clearly presents a different side to you to that which you showed towards Olivia.”

A physical confrontation between two women then ensued on the landing outside the courtroom following the hearing. Screaming and shouting was heard as they were separated from the scuffle before Ms McMahon and her supporters were escorted away by security staff.

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