A life sentence has been handed down at Bradford Crown Court following the death of a woman in Bradford, West Yorkshire. The individual convicted, Stephen Lawton, 46, was found guilty of murder after the death of his partner, Michelle Egge-Bailey, aged 54. The fatal incident occurred on 11 March 2025 at the flat shared by the pair on Airedale Avenue in Cottingley.
It was determined by the court that Ms Egge-Bailey had died as a result of multiple stab wounds—one to the arm and two to the neck. These injuries included the severing of a jugular vein. Her body was later discovered by emergency services responding to a concern for welfare. She was declared deceased at the scene.
The court heard that the incident took place the day after Mr Lawton had been arrested for a drink-driving offence. It was stated during proceedings that Ms Egge-Bailey had contacted authorities in relation to that arrest. The subsequent attack was described in court as premeditated.
During sentencing, His Honour Judge Jonathan Rose noted that the defendant had acted while the victim was believed to have been unconscious or incapacitated, and that she had been unable to defend herself. A kitchen knife was said to have been used in the attack while the victim was lying in bed.
The prosecution outlined a pattern of prior arguments and alcohol consumption between the two. A claim of provocation by the defendant was rejected by the court. The offence was characterised as a culmination of previous tensions within the relationship.
Lawton had initially entered a plea of guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. However, following a five-day trial, a guilty verdict for murder was returned on 3 September 2025. A minimum prison term of 17 years must be served before parole eligibility will be considered.
The court was informed of the defendant’s previous military service in Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and that he had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His criminal history included convictions for sexual assault, for which he had been court-martialled, in addition to drink-driving and possession of Class A substances.
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