Woman sentenced to 16 years for murder of Stevenage man

Erin McNeilly, 35, of Walden End, Stevenage, was convicted following a three-week trial at Huntingdon Crown Court

Author: Cameron GreenPublished 28th Feb 2025

A woman has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of murdering a 61-year-old man in Stevenage.

Erin McNeilly, 35, of Walden End, Stevenage, was convicted following a three-week trial at Huntingdon Crown Court. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict for the murder of Peter Lynch.

Police were called at around 11.50pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024 to reports of a serious assault in Walden End. Emergency services attended, and Lynch was taken to hospital with a stab wound but died a short time later.

Detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit launched an investigation, and McNeilly was charged on 5 August 2024.

Detective Inspector Lee Martin, who led the case, said: “Our thoughts remain with Peter’s family at this time as they continue to come to terms with their loss.

“This was a complex investigation, and I’d like to thank all officers and staff who helped. I am also grateful to the members of the public who assisted with our enquiries.

“Both Peter and Erin’s families have treated each other with compassion and respect throughout the trial, and I thank them all for acting with such humility in the face of such a tragic case.”

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