A murderer who fatally stabbed her former boyfriend before spending the night at his flat drinking alcohol has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum 27-year term following a three-week Chester Crown Court trial.
Aurin Makepeace, from Prestatyn, north Wales, killed Steven Rothwell at his Macclesfield, Cheshire residence on 19 August last year, leaving the 41-year-old to die alone from a chest wound without attempting medical assistance.
The pair’s relationship originated during the early 2010s whilst both were incarcerated in a men’s prison—Makepeace before transitioning—serving sentences for wounding and murder respectively.
CCTV footage captured the couple making multiple trips to local shops purchasing alcohol during Makepeace’s stay at Rothwell’s flat, with blood stains later discovered throughout the bathroom, shower and kitchen sinks.
Rothwell’s body was located at 10.43pm on 19 August after Makepeace travelled to Prestatyn and contacted emergency services stating: “I killed my boyfriend.”
The defendant initially provided the alias “Luchay”—her middle name—before claiming to be “Katie,” Rothwell’s current girlfriend’s identity, whilst informing friends she had “killed Steven” and “murdered my boyfriend.”
Makepeace claimed the fatal stabbing occurred whilst preventing Rothwell from attacking another man following allegations Gary Kuruc had slept with his “sometime girlfriend,” with the defendant asserting the kitchen knife accidentally penetrated Rothwell’s chest during “grappling.”
She additionally claimed self-defence, alleging Rothwell had been strangling her, before consuming vodka beneath a bush prior to police apprehension.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Rachel Worthington condemned the killing: “Aurin Makepeace stabbed Steven Rothwell and then left him to die alone. She made no attempt to get any medical help for him. The reasons why she murdered him are known only to her.”
Richard Pratt KC, prosecuting, characterised Rothwell’s death as “no accident,” arguing Makepeace concocted an “implausible story that this was a horrible accident” which jurors rejected through seeing “through Makepeace’s layers of lies.”
The defendant’s criminal history includes a 2007 conviction for stabbing an unknown man’s jaw and neck alongside actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, battery, affray and assaulting police officers—with several convictions involving partners.
Following 2021 prison release, Makepeace worked at a holiday park before managing a shopping centre prior to Rothwell’s murder.
Ms Worthington thanked witnesses assisting prosecution efforts whilst offering condolences to Rothwell’s family and friends “at this very difficult time.”
