Prestatyn murderer Aurin Makepeace given 27-year minimum term at Chester Crown Court
A woman from Prestatyn has been jailed for life for murdering a man at his flat in Macclesfield after stabbing him and leaving his body overnight before calling 999 the following evening.
Aurin Makepeace, 43, of Tan Y Don, Prestatyn, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on 10 April 2026 and must serve a minimum of 27 years in prison.
She was found guilty of murdering Steven Rothwell, 41, following a trial at Chester Crown Court which began on 3 March 2026 and returned a unanimous guilty verdict on 25 March 2026.
The court heard that Makepeace stabbed Steven at his flat at 1A Cross Street, Macclesfield on the evening of 18 August 2025 following an argument.
Makepeace and Steven were former partners who had met in prison.
Their relationship had ended around 2023 but they had remained in regular contact, and both had been in relationships with other people.
On 15 August 2025, Makepeace had travelled from her home in Prestatyn to stay with Steven at his flat for a few days.
On the evening of 18 August, a phone call from a recent ex-girlfriend of Steven revealed she had slept with another man, causing Steven to become angry and leave the flat to confront her.
An argument took place in the street near the flat, during which Makepeace slapped Steven’s ex-girlfriend in the face.
A passing motorist reported the incident to police and an officer attended.
Officers spoke with the ex-girlfriend and then with Steven at his flat, where Makepeace was present and described as irate.
A number of hours after police left, on the same evening, Makepeace fatally stabbed Steven in the chest.
She stayed at the address overnight and left the following morning.
During 19 August 2025, Makepeace made a number of calls to friends disclosing she had stabbed Steven, and sent a voice note to one person saying “I’ve murdered my boyfriend.”
At 10.19pm that evening, Makepeace called 999, gave the name “Katie” to the operator, and said she had stabbed Steven and that he was dead at the address.
Makepeace claimed to still be at the flat but was in fact back in rural north Wales.
She told the operator Steven had attacked her and that she had stabbed him in self-defence.
Officers arrived at the address at 10.43pm and found Steven deceased with a single stab wound to his chest.
A yellow blanket had been placed over his body.
Medical and forensic experts determined the attack had not taken place minutes or hours before the 999 call.
CCTV and phone analysis led detectives to Makepeace in rural north Wales after another woman named Katie, and a man, were arrested and released without charge.
In police interviews, Makepeace claimed Steven had picked up the knife intending to leave the flat to confront another man, and that it had accidentally entered him when she tried to stop him.
Forensic pathologist Dr Medcalf told the court that Steven would have died within ten minutes of the injury and that Makepeace’s account was, in his opinion, very unlikely.
The knife was found in the kitchen and forensic examination showed it had likely been washed.
Steven’s blood was found on the blade and Makepeace’s DNA was found on the handle.
[Steven Rothwell]
Detective Inspector Simon Mills of Cheshire Police 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 the 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.”
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