Aurin Makepeace jailed for murdering Steven Rothwell

Aurin Makepeace from Tan Y Don in Prestatyn has been jailed for murdering Steven Rothwell at his home in Macclesfield.

Makepeace was found guilty of murder on Wednesday 25th March 2026 following a trial which began at Chester Crown Court on Monday 3rd March.

The 43-year-old appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 10th April 2026 to be sentenced and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 27 years to be served in prison.

The court heard that Makepeace tried to cover her tracks after stabbing Steven Rothwell at the 41-year-old’s flat on Cross Street, Macclesfield in August 2025 following an argument.

Makepeace and Steven were former partners having initially met in prison. Whilst their relationship had formally ended around 2023, they had remained in regular contact with one another and had been in relationships with other people.

On the 15th August 2025, Makepeace had travelled from her home in Prestatyn to stay with Steven at his flat for a few days. 

During her visit, on Monday 18th August 2025, a recent ex-girlfriend of Steven revealed in a phone call that she had recently slept with another man which caused Steven to become angry and leave his flat to confront her.

Steven argued with his ex-girlfriend in the street nearby to his flat. Makepeace, who was also present, assaulted her by slapping her in the face and was verbally abusive to her. 

The arguing in the street was seen by a passing motorist who reported the incident to the police, and an officer attended a short time later.

Police spoke with his ex-girlfriend, and then with Steven at his flat, where Makepeace was present. At that time Makepeace was irate and claiming to be distressed over the incident and frequently stated how angry she was with Steven’s ex-girlfriend.

A number of hours after the police left, on the same evening, Makepeace fatally stabbed Steven in the chest. Makepeace stayed at the address overnight and then left the following morning.

During the day on the 19th August 2025 Makepeace made a number of calls to different friends making disclosures that she had stabbed Steven and to one person sent a voice note saying ‘I’ve murdered my boyfriend’.

Later that night on Tuesday 19th August 2025 at 10.19pm Makepeace rang 999, and having given the name of ‘Katie’ to the call operator, stated she had stabbed Steven and that he was dead in the address.  Makepeace claimed to still be at the address when she was in fact clearly back in rural North Wales.  Makepeace stated to the operator that she needed help and that Steven had attacked her and in self defence she had stabbed him.

Police then attended at 1A Cross Street in Macclesfield at 10.43pm and discovered Steven deceased in the address. Steven had a single stab wound to his chest and a yellow blanket had been placed over his body.

It was clear to officers and medical experts that this violent attack had not taken place minutes or even hours before the 999 phone call.

No one else was in Steven’s flat, and an investigation was launched to find the girlfriend called ‘Katie’. She was subsequently arrested alongside another man, but following further enquiries, they were released without charge and extensive CCTV and phone analysis led detectives to Makepeace in rural North Wales.

During police interviews Makepeace stated after the police left, Steven had argued on the phone again with the man who had been having the affair with his ex-girlfriend and made more threats, Steven then picked up a knife and was intending to leave the flat to stab the man.  Makepeace claimed she tried to stop him leaving the address and the knife accidentally went in him.  Makepeace claimed she was too upset and scared to call an ambulance and when she left, Steven was still alive.

Dr Medcalf Forensic Pathologist testified that Steven would have died within 10 minutes of the injury and that in his opinion the account of Makepeace was very unlikely.

Forensic investigation within the scene identified the knife, and forensic science showed that the knife had likely been washed and placed amongst other items in the kitchen – Steven’s blood was found on the knife and Makepeace’s DNA was found on the handle.

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.”

Steven's family said following her conviction:

"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."

Pictured - Aurin Makepeace from Tan Y Don in Prestatyn.