Man jailed for murder following stabbing in Northwich

A man who was found guilty of murder after fatally stabbing his friend in Northwich has been jailed for 18 years.

Matthew Higgins was found guilty of the murder of 37-year-old David Eaton following a trial at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday 9 April 2025. He previously pleaded guilty to a separate charge of assaulting an emergency worker.

Higgins, 36, of Brook Lane, Northwich, appeared back at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 15 April 2025 where he was handed a life sentence, to serve a minimum of 18 years.

At around 3.35pm on 28 September 2024, police were called to reports of someone who had been stabbed at an address in Brook Lane, Northwich.

This was Higgins’ address, who was friends with David. The pair had been together at the property along with a 41-year-old woman and all three were intoxicated.

Neighbours reported hearing a female screaming and then being approached in the street by Higgins, who had blood on his hands, and told them 'I've stabbed my mate'.

Police and paramedics attended the scene where they found Higgins with David inside the address, attempting to administer first aid. He told police, ‘he fell on the knife’. 

Officers and paramedics provided first aid however despite their best efforts, paramedics sadly pronounced David dead shortly after 4pm. 

He died from two stab wounds to the heart.

Both Higgins and the woman were arrested on suspicion of murder. Higgins became aggressive while in custody and headbutted an officer. Several officers were required to bring him under control.

The woman was ultimately released with no further action against her, while Higgins was charged with murder, and assaulting an emergency worker, on Monday 30 September 2024.

He pleaded not guilty to murder but was found guilty after trial. 

Detective Inspector Eleanor Atkinson said:

“The afternoon that David was killed, Higgins chose to pick up a knife and let his anger get the better of him - that decision had devastating consequences.

“Despite knowing what he had done, he denied the charge of murder and forced David’s loved one to sit through a two-and-a-half week trial. But the jury saw through his lies and convicted him of murder.

“I welcome the sentence handed down to Higgins and while nothing can bring David back to his family and friends, I hope the fact Higgins is now behind bars for his murder will bring them some sense of closure, knowing justice has been served.”

Previously, following the guilty verdict for murder, the family of David Eaton said:

“Regardless of the verdict, what happened has changed our lives forever.

“It has been a distressing and emotional few weeks.

“We have lost a son, brother, dad and nephew and nothing can change the devastation caused to our family.”

Pictured - Matthew Higgins of Brook Lane in Northwich.