Learn English – Since then with past simple

Since in this context means after (i.e. - after some time explicitly or implicitly identified in supporting text). It might help OP to imagine replacing since with after the time at which in both his examples.

In other contexts, since can mean because, but that's really just a metaphoric extension of the above.

I think what's bothering OP is that since has many subtly different usages. Here are just a few from OED:

1: During the period between (a specified time) and now; at some time subsequent to or after.
2: Ever or continuously from (a specified time, etc.) till now.
3: Denoting a point of time to which the action or event mentioned is subsequent.
4: In sentences implying continuity of action or fact during the period indicated. Also with ever, and (rarely) with that.

Most (but not all) senses imply continuity from whatever time in the past is indicated by since, up to now. For example, "I have known John since we were children" is a very common context, and we normally use past perfect there because we still know him now.

But suppose you were at John's funeral? It would be perfectly grammatical to say "I knew John since we were children" (you don't really know him any more, since he's dead). I suspect many native speakers might have the same misgivings as OP, but I think it's just because we're more used to contexts where there is continuity into the present. FWIW, I think I might be tempted to say I knew him since when, or even since way back when, to distance myself from the standard up till now/ever since then implication.

Maybe, "It has been a very long time since I have read a good book". Here, the emphasis is on the time.

This reminds me of the sentence "I didn't say you stole my money". Here, emphasis can be stressed on every word in the statement to provide a different meaning.