A 46-year-old former British Army tank commander, Stephen Lawton, has been sentenced to life in prison for brutally killing his partner, Michelle Egge-Bailey, in a vengeful act after she reported him for drink-driving. Lawton stabbed Egge-Bailey once in the arm and twice in the neck, resulting in her death by severing her jugular vein. The incident took place on March 11 at the couple’s residence on Airedale Avenue in Cottingley, Bradford, West Yorkshire. Lawton was convicted of murder after a trial at Bradford Crown Court on September 3.
Following the fatal attack, Lawton left Egge-Bailey to bleed to death in bed, covering her face with a pillow. Lawton was informed during his sentencing that he must serve a minimum of 17 years before being eligible for parole. Police discovered Egge-Bailey with severe injuries after responding to concerns about her welfare, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The court learned that the murder was the culmination of violence in the couple’s tumultuous five-year relationship. Judge Jonathan Rose stated that Lawton’s actions were triggered by Egge-Bailey reporting him for drink-driving. Lawton, who had a history of PTSD and prior convictions for sexual assault, drink-driving, and possession of Class A drugs, had served in Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Despite initially pleading guilty to manslaughter, Lawton was ultimately found guilty of murder.