Kal is killed in a fire at the Victoria Court flats moments after proposing to her in May 2015. Later that summer, Leanne recognises Liz McDonald's (Beverley Callard) new boyfriend, Dan Jones (Andrew Paul) as an old client from her days working as a prostitute. He threatens her, but she tells Liz about his past anyway. He then holds Leanne, Liz, and Simon hostage in Leanne's flat and informs Simon about Leanne's prostitution. An angry Simon hits Leanne and continues to be abusive towards her, but promises to stop. On another occasion, he pushes her over knocking her unconscious and she is taken to hospital. Leanne then sends Simon to stay with Peter but his behaviour worsens when he returns from Plymouth and she confides in Eva about the abuse. Simon continues to hit Leanne, refuses to go to school, vandalises property and drunkenly causes a scene in the Bistro with his friends. Leanne forces Simon to live with his grandfather, Ken. When he tries to hit his cousin Amy, Leanne tells the truth about the domestic violence. They agree to help Simon with counselling, but when he deliberately injures a fellow football team player, Leanne reports him to the police. Simon initially refuses to forgive Leanne but after he visits Peter, they live together again.