Ex-lover from Prestatyn jailed for life over Macclesfield murder
43-year-old sentenced to serve a minimum of 27 years in prison
A 43 year old from Prestatyn had been jailed over the murder of her ex-partner.
Appearing at Chester Crown Court, Aurin Makepeace, from Tan Y Don, Prestatyn, was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 27 years, for the murder of Steven Rothwell at his home in Macclesfield.
Steven Rothwell was found dead at 1A Cross Street, Macclesfield, with a fatal stab wound to the chest in August 2025. Makepeace, who had travelled from Prestatyn to stay with Steven, was implicated in the murder following police investigations.
During the trial, it was revealed that Steven Rothwell's murder occurred after a dispute with a recent ex-girlfriend. Makepeace accompanied Steven when he argued with his ex-girlfriend publicly, resulting in a minor assault by Makepeace. The incident was reported to police, and officers visited Rothwell's flat on the evening of 18th August 2025.
Events Leading Up to the Crime
After police left, Makepeace reportedly stabbed Rothwell following another heated argument. Makepeace did not immediately call for assistance, instead staying the night at the flat and disclosing the event to various friends the next day. It wasn't until the evening of 19th August that she called emergency services from North Wales, falsely identifying herself and claiming the stabbing was in self-defence.
Investigation and Trial Outcome
The investigation quickly pointed to Makepeace as the perpetrator despite her attempts to cover her tracks. Her accounts of self-defence were dismissed during trial. Forensic evidence, including testimony from Dr. Medcalf, contradicted Makepeace’s claims, showing the knife had been deliberately cleaned and placed in the kitchen.
Following a unanimous guilty verdict, Detective Inspector Simon Mills expressed satisfaction at the outcome, stating:
"From the outset Makepeace’s account of how the knife ‘accidentally’ entered Steven’s chest was not plausible..."
The verdict and subsequent sentence were welcomed by Steven Rothwell’s family, who acknowledged the support received from the police throughout the trial.