A man previously serving in the military and suffering from PTSD is now facing a potential life sentence for fatally stabbing his partner shortly after she reported him for driving under the influence. The victim, Michelle Egge-Bailey, aged 54, was fatally attacked by Stephen Lawton, aged 45, as she lay in bed. Lawton stabbed her multiple times, causing fatal wounds including a severed jugular vein. The prosecution argued that Lawton committed the murder in a fit of anger and vengeance following the report of his drink-driving incident.
Lawton, who denied the murder but admitted to manslaughter, was unanimously convicted of murder by a jury at Bradford Crown Court. The court heard that Lawton, who had been on tours in conflict zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, cited ongoing PTSD and depression as contributing factors to the tragic event. He claimed that Egge-Bailey had made hurtful comments about his deceased family members, triggering arguments between them.
Lawton’s violent act occurred shortly after his arrest for drink-driving, with the court hearing conflicting testimonies about the events leading up to the fatal stabbing. Lawton claimed he was trying to calm Egge-Bailey down before the situation escalated, leading to him allegedly losing control and committing the fatal assault. Despite his claims of memory loss during the incident, the jury found him guilty of murder.
In response to the verdict, Judge Jonathan Rose emphasized that life imprisonment was the inevitable outcome for Lawton. The victim’s family expressed their ongoing trauma and lack of closure despite Lawton’s conviction. They thanked the authorities and support services involved and requested privacy during this difficult time. Lawton’s sentencing date is yet to be confirmed.