🔴 Birthday Party Killer Jailed: Mum Stabbed Guest to Death

A woman who fatally stabbed a fellow guest at a child’s birthday party in east London has been jailed for life, following her conviction for murder at Inner London Crown Court.

Hope Rowe, 33 (30.12.1991), of Piazza Walk, Aldgate was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years behind bars for the killing of Charlotte Lawlor, 31, who was stabbed with a knife originally used to cut birthday cake. The attack took place in the early hours of Sunday, 15 September 2024, at a residential property on Duckett Street, Stepney Green. The court heard that Rowe had concealed the knife in her handbag before using it to launch a sudden and fatal assault on Ms Lawlor, witnessed by family members, party guests and at least one minor.

Jurors were told the two women had argued earlier during the gathering, and CCTV footage showed Rowe appearing visibly agitated before the attack. After being temporarily calmed by her partner, mixed martial arts enthusiast Leigh Holder, outside the party venue, Rowe then exited his Range Rover carrying the concealed weapon. She swiftly approached Ms Lawlor and stabbed her in the chest before continuing the attack as the victim collapsed onto the pavement.

Emergency services, including the London Ambulance Service, arrived on scene shortly after 01:00hrs and attempted to provide medical aid, but Ms Lawlor was pronounced dead within the hour. Witnesses described a chaotic aftermath, with one 15-year-old guest recalling that he had tried to intervene and place the victim in the recovery position as she lay bleeding heavily on the street. The teenager said he saw Rowe stabbing the victim multiple times with what he described as a red-handled kitchen knife.

Rowe fled the scene immediately after the killing, leaving in Holder’s vehicle without acknowledging the injured victim. Just over an hour later, at 02:10hrs, police intercepted the vehicle in Tower Hamlets. Holder told officers Rowe had exited the car earlier and claimed to have no knowledge of her whereabouts. He was arrested for assisting an offender. Rowe subsequently presented herself at Bethnal Green Police Station at 07:00hrs, where she was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Bodyworn footage shown in court captured Rowe appearing disoriented and asking officers, “Murder? Is it attempted murder, or murder?” During interview she offered no comment, later claiming in court that she had acted in a moment of loss of control triggered by perceived threats from Ms Lawlor. She also cited a diagnosed personality disorder in support of a manslaughter plea on grounds of diminished responsibility — a plea the prosecution rejected.

Prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC told the jury that Rowe had acted with intent and purpose, not panic, and accused her of fabricating claims of threats to justify a deliberate act of violence. The Crown presented key digital evidence, including a voicemail inadvertently recorded on Rowe’s phone, in which Holder could be heard exclaiming: “You absolute idiot. You killed her, you f---ing idiot,” to which Rowe replied simply, “Good.”

Despite the murder weapon never being recovered, the jury convicted Rowe of murder. Judge Freya Newbery sentenced her to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years.

Leigh Holder, 38, of the same address, was convicted of perverting the course of justice for his role in helping Rowe flee the scene and dispose of the knife. He received a sentence of 16 months’ imprisonment. The court heard that he had encouraged Rowe not to surrender and attempted to mislead police regarding her whereabouts. The voicemail evidence also captured Holder advising Rowe on how to evade detection.

CCTV and doorbell camera footage traced Rowe’s movements in the hours after the killing, and images from a passing bus and bodyworn police cameras were also used to corroborate witness accounts. Rowe was convicted despite the absence of a murder weapon, with prosecutors relying on eyewitness testimony, forensic phone analysis and the inadvertently captured voicemail to secure the verdict.

Detective Sergeant Dean Musgrove of the Met’s Specialist Crime North unit said the investigation had been thorough and determined. “Rowe and her partner behaved despicably. This sentence shows that killers will be pursued even in cases where they attempt to mislead investigators.”

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.