A woman from Aldgate has been convicted of murder after stabbing a woman at a child’s birthday party.
Hope Rowe, 33, of Piazza Walk, Aldgate, attacked Charlotte Lawlor, 31, with a knife at a property in Stepney Green on Sunday 15 September, 2024.
A jury at Inner London Crown Court found Rowe guilty of murder on Friday 13 June, 2025
Detective Sergeant Dean Musgrove, from the Metropolitan 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.”
Met officers attended a property in Duckett Street, Stepney Green, just after 1am on Sunday, 15 September last year following reports of a serious assault.
Lawlor, who had been attending a birthday party at the property the previous evening, had been stabbed, and was being assisted by friends and family.
Police administered first aid and were joined by a London Ambulance Service crew, but Lawlor was pronounced dead within an hour.
After speaking to witnesses, officers established Lawlor had been stabbed by Rowe following an argument, who then drove away from the scene with her partner, Leigh Holder.
Rowe attended Bethnal Green Police Station at 7am the same morning, where she was arrested on suspicion of murder.
She provided no comment while being interviewed and later claimed in court her actions were due to a momentary loss of control.
Lawlor’s parents said: “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.”
Holder, 38, of Piazza Walk, Aldgate, was also convicted of perverting the course of justice after encouraging Rowe not to surrender to the police and helping her dispose of the murder weapon.
The pair will be sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday 9 July.
Image credits: London Metropolitan Police
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