Woman, 33, stabbed mother to death at a child's birthday party
A woman who fatally stabbed a mother at a child's birthday party has been found guilty of murder.
Hope Rowe, 33, attacked Charlotte Lawlor with a knife at a property in Stepney Green, east London, on Sept 15 last year.
Emergency workers found Ms Lawlor, 31, in the foyer of the tower block in Tower Hamlets just before 2am with multiple stab injuries, after an attack witnessed by some of her family, children and guests at the party.
Inner London Crown Court heard how Ms Lawlor had been stabbed by Rowe following an argument at the party. Rowe then drove away from the scene with her partner, Leigh Holder, 37.
At around 2.10am, Holder's vehicle was stopped by armed police in Tower Hamlets. He told officers Rowe had jumped out shortly after leaving the crime scene, claiming he had no knowledge of her location.
However, the court heard that Rowe left a voicemail on Holder's phone as they drove away together, which recorded her telling him that it was 'good' she had killed Ms Lawlor, before Holder instructed Rowe to dispose of the knife and to avoid the police. The knife was never found.
At 7am the following day, the court heard Rowe went to Bethnal Green Police Station, where she was arrested on suspicion of murder.
During a police interview, she provided no comment, and later claimed her actions were due to a momentary loss of control.
On Friday, a jury at the London court found Rowe guilty of murder and Holder guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Det Sgt Dean Musgrove, from the Met Police's specialist crime north unit, said: 'Hope Rowe launched a brutal attack on Charlotte Lawlor at what should have been a joyous occasion.
'Our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends, who will have to contend not only with the loss of a loved one, but with the trauma of having witnessed the killing.
'As if the killing was not senseless enough, Rowe then tried to deceive investigators, disposing of the knife before turning herself in.
'It still has not been found to this day, and both Rowe and her partner were incriminated by a voicemail accidentally recorded on Rowe's phone.'
In a statement, the victim's parents said they were 'happy' with the verdict, adding: 'We would like to thank the jury for their attention during the trial.
'The family will never get over the loss and murder of Charlotte. It has destroyed us, leaving a gaping hole. Charlotte's son, Riley, has been left without a mum, and siblings without their older sister and best friend. Charlotte brought light to everyone's life.'
Rowe and Holder will be sentenced at the court on July 9.
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