Aurin Makepeace (Image: Cheshire Constabulary)
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A woman from Prestatyn has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years for stabbing her former partner to death at his home in Cheshire.
Aurin Makepeace, 43, of Tan Y Don, Prestatyn, was found guilty of murdering 41-year-old Steven Rothwell following a trial at Chester Crown Court last month. She was sentenced on Friday.
The background
Makepeace and Steven had originally met in prison and were former partners, though their relationship had formally ended around 2023. Despite this, the pair had stayed in regular contact and had both gone on to form relationships with other people.
On 15 August 2025, Makepeace travelled from Prestatyn to stay with Steven at his flat on Cross Street, Macclesfield, for a few days.
Events leading to the attack
On Monday 18 August 2025, a recent ex-girlfriend of Steven disclosed during a phone call that she had slept with another man. Steven became angry and left his flat, arguing with his ex-girlfriend in a nearby street. Makepeace, who was also present, slapped the woman in the face and was verbally abusive towards her.
A passing motorist witnessed the argument and contacted police. An officer attended shortly afterwards and spoke with both the ex-girlfriend and Steven at his flat, where Makepeace was also present. At that point, Makepeace was described as irate, claiming to be distressed and repeatedly expressing anger towards Steven’s ex-girlfriend.
The fatal stabbing
Several hours after officers left, on the same evening, Makepeace fatally stabbed Steven in the chest.
She remained at the flat overnight before leaving the following morning. During the day on 19 August 2025, she made a number of calls to friends disclosing what she had done, and sent a voice note to one person stating: “I’ve murdered my boyfriend.”
Later that night, at 10.19pm on Tuesday 19 August, Makepeace dialled 999 using the name “Katie,” telling the operator she had stabbed Steven and that he was dead. She claimed to still be at the address when she was in fact back in rural North Wales. She told the operator she needed help and that Steven had attacked her, claiming she had acted in self-defence.
The police investigation
Officers attended 1A Cross Street at 10.43pm and found Steven deceased. He had a single stab wound to his chest, and a yellow blanket had been placed over his body. According to Cheshire Police, it was clear to officers and medical experts that the attack had not taken place minutes or even hours before the 999 call.
No one else was found in the flat. An investigation was launched to trace the woman who had identified herself as “Katie.” Another woman was subsequently arrested alongside a man, but both were released without charge. Extensive CCTV and phone analysis led detectives to Makepeace in rural North Wales.
Makepeace’s account
In police interviews, Makepeace claimed that after officers left on the evening of 18 August, Steven had argued on the phone with the man who had been having an affair with his ex-girlfriend and made threats. She said Steven then picked up a knife intending to leave the flat to stab the man, and that she tried to stop him – claiming the knife went into him accidentally. She said she was too upset and scared to call an ambulance and that Steven was still alive when she left.
Forensic evidence
Dr Medcalf, a forensic pathologist, testified that Steven would have died within 10 minutes of the injury and that Makepeace’s account was very unlikely.
The knife was recovered from the scene. Forensic analysis showed it had likely been washed and placed among other items in the kitchen. Steven’s blood was found on the blade and Makepeace’s DNA was found on the handle.
Sentencing
The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after less than two hours of deliberation.
Detective Inspector Simon Mills said: “From the outset Makepeace’s account of how the knife ‘accidentally’ entered Steven’s chest was not plausible. Evidentially we proved that Makepeace was lying, and we proved that she stayed the night in the address which again completely contradicted her account in interview.
“The jury saw straight through Makepeace’s lies and delivered a unanimous guilty verdict with less than two hours deliberation time.
“Makepeace is paying the price of her actions and lies now that she has been sentenced to life with a minimum of 27 years to be served in prison.
“Makepeace put Steven’s family through the stress and heartache of the trial, I just hope this sentence brings some closure and justice for his friends and family.”
Tributes to Steven
Steven’s family said: “We’d like to thank the judge, jury and counsel for the verdict reached on Aurin Makepeace today, and a huge thank you to the team who have been working behind the scenes.
“The support and guidance we have received from Cheshire Police has been a huge comfort during this trying time.
“Ste was so resilient, mischievous and had the gentlest of hearts and we’re going to miss that strength he brought. He found a lot of comfort in literature and spent many moments behind a book, either sat in a coffee shop or at the library.
“He will be forever thought about and we’re going to miss his witty sense of humour.”
