Malcolm Phillips was the dour, estranged father of Karen McDonald. He called to hers and Steve's flat in August 2004 to tell her that her mother Margaret was dying but Karen shouted at him to leave. For the first time ever, she then opened up to Steve about her emotionally-abusive childhood. Malcolm and Margaret were religious fanatics who saw their lack of money or worldly goods as being akin to living a life where they had made a vow of poverty. Karen wasn't allowed toys or to play with other children on her council estate. At the age of fifteen, it was Linda Sykes who showed her a different lifestyle and her dad found her at the Sykes's house. He dragged her home and emotional abuse turned to physical abuse when he beat her "to a pulp" while her mother stood by and watched. Karen immedi