Holly Newton murder: Logan MacPhail identified as 15-year-old’s killer after restrictions lifted over Hexham knife attack
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The boy who stabbed 15-year-old Holly Newton to death in a frenzied attack in Northumberland has been named as Logan MacPhail.
The 17-year-old followed Holly through Hexham town centre before stabbing her 12 times and slashing her 19 times in just over a minute.
A boy who was with Holly at the time tried to help her and was also stabbed.
MacPhail was found guilty of murder and wounding with intent in August but couldn’t be identified because of his age.
However, a judge has now decided MacPhail – who turns 18 on 9 December – can be named.
It can also be reported that he had been in a relationship with Holly but she didn’t want it to continue.
Prosecutors said during the trial that he was “jealous” she was with a new boy.
Holly’s mother had been so concerned on the day of her murder, 27 January 2023, that she contacted police and arranged for her daughter to stay in school if MacPhail was hanging around.
Holly also told a friend that he was “basically stalking her”, the trial heard.
MacPhail followed Holly around the town centre for about 45 minutes as she visited shops with friends before attacking her.
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CCTV shows Holly Newton before stabbing
The knife appeared to have snapped in the attack. Pic: Northumbria Police
MacPhail seen leaving a bus in Hexham before killing Holly. Pic: Northumbria Police/PA
When Holly and the 16-year-old she was with went into a pizza shop, MacPhail waited at a bus stop, where he asked to speak to her, then lured her down an alleyway and attacked her.
He inflicted 36 knife wounds, including five “defensive” injuries in the early evening attack. Holly was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary but couldn’t be saved.
MacPhail also narrowly avoided killing Holly’s friend as he tried to save her, leaving him with injuries to his shoulder, arm, and thigh which needed surgery.
The killer – who has autism and low IQ – denied murder but admitted manslaughter, saying he couldn’t remember stabbing Holly or her friend.
He claimed his mind went blank that day and he had only intended to take his own life.
MacPhail’s sentencing takes place on 31 October and 1 November.
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At the end of the August trial, Holly’s mother paid tribute to her daughter in a statement in court.
Micala Trussler called her a “funny and happy teenager who would do anything for anyone”, saying she had a “small tight-knit group of friends who were always there for each other”.
“There was nothing that Holly couldn’t do, she loved all types of sport and would give anything a go at least once,” she said.
“From a young age she fell in love with dancing, it gave her the opportunity to express herself and helped her self-confidence enormously, it genuinely made her feel fearless.”
