Murderer found guilty of Macclesfield stabbing

Aurin Makepeace, from Tan Y Don in Prestatyn, was found guilty of murder at Chester Crown Court on Monday 3rd March.

The 43-year-old will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Friday 10th April 2026.

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 19 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 19 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, 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:

“Makepeace claimed that she had tried to prevent Steven leaving the address with the knife and while grappling with him the knife accidentally entered his chest. However Makepeace couldn’t then explain why she went back to North Wales on the train and waited some hours before calling police and lying about her identity.

“Through our extensive and methodical enquiries we were able to place Makepeace in Macclesfield in the preceding days of Steven’s murder. We then evidenced her movements before and after Steven’s death, and showed her leaving Macclesfield the next morning whilst stopping to buy sweets and Vodka for the journey back to North Wales. The evidence was overwhelming, but she still pleaded not guilty, putting Steven’s family through further distress and heartache.

“The jury did not believe Makepeace’s lies and she is now going to pay the price for her cruel violence and deception.”

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."

Pictured - Aurin Makepeace from Tan Y Don in Prestatyn.