Hope Rowe faces a murder trial after stabbing Charlotte Lawlor to death at the Stepney Green party

A birthday party in East London spiralled into horror when a mother-of-one was brutally stabbed to death in front of her boyfriend. Hope Rowe, 33, now stands trial for the murder of 31-year-old Charlotte Lawlor outside Hebrides Court, Stepney Green. The shocking case has gripped the capital as chilling details emerge.

In the aftermath of the attack, Rowe allegedly delivered a heartless one-word response upon realising she had killed Ms Lawlor: “Good.” The court heard this damning admission through a voicemail recording played to the jury. Prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC described the message as “the unvarnished truth,” exposing Rowe’s apparent lack of remorse.

As proceedings unfolded at Inner London Crown Court, Judge Freya Newbery reminded the jury that they must weigh up opposing psychiatric evidence before reaching a verdict. Dr Tim Rogers, testifying for the defence, argued that Rowe’s personality disorder left her with “substantially impaired” self-control, which could support a plea of diminished responsibility. In contrast, prosecution expert Dr Sheena Patel firmly rejected this view, insisting that Rowe exhibited no significant mental impairment that would excuse her actions.

The prosecution painted a damning picture of Rowe’s motives. Newell KC accused her of fabricating lies about Ms Lawlor’s family to justify the violence. According to the prosecution, the attack was not driven by fear but by jealousy, resentment and a long-standing grudge. Rowe is alleged to have unleashed fatal revenge over what she perceived as personal slights.

Rowe’s boyfriend, 37-year-old Leigh Holder, also faces serious charges for his alleged role in the aftermath. He stands accused of helping conceal the crime by disposing of the murder weapon and whisking Rowe away from the scene. Holder claims his actions stemmed from panic and fear in the chaos following the stabbing.

The court heard about Rowe’s violent history, including previous offences, which painted a disturbing portrait of escalating aggression. The prosecution played the harrowing voicemail where she openly bragged about the killing, further undermining her defence.

The fatal incident took place during a birthday celebration that descended into tragedy. Lawlor, a young mother, lost her life in a senseless act of violence that has left East London reeling. Outside the courtroom, the community mourns another life stolen in a growing wave of violent attacks that continue to plague Britain’s streets.

As the trial continues, Londoners are demanding justice for Ms Lawlor and asking whether enough is being done to prevent such horrific crimes. The case has sparked wider conversations about safety, mental health defences in violent crimes, and the urgent need to address rising street violence that leaves families shattered.

With closing arguments heard, the jury now faces the grim task of determining Rowe’s fate. They must decide whether her actions stemmed from mental illness or cold-blooded vengeance. Meanwhile, the victim’s family and the wider public await a verdict that may offer some sense of justice for Charlotte Lawlor, whose life was so brutally and senselessly cut short.