Holly Newton murder: Teen who killed 15-year-old ex-girlfriend in knife attack gets life sentence

The teenager who stabbed 15-year-old Holly Newton to death in Northumberland has been sentenced to life, with a minimum sentence of 17 years.

Logan MacPhail, 17, followed ex-girlfriend Holly through Hexham town center in January last year before attacking her – inflicting 36 wounds in just over a minute.

A 16-year-old boy who was with Holly at the time and tried to help her was also stabbed, leaving him with injuries to his shoulder, arm and thigh that required surgery.

MacPhail was found guilty of murder and wounding with intent in August. At first he couldn’t be identified, but… earlier this month a judge changed that decision because he turns 18 on December 9.

Prosecutors had previously told jurors that MacPhail was “jealous.” Holly was with a new boy. The trial previously heard that Holly had also told a friend he was “basically stalking her”.

After following Holly and the 16-year-old boy she was with for 45 minutes, MacPhail waited at a bus stop and asked to speak to Holly after she emerged from a pizzeria.

He then lured her through an alley and attacked her.

MacPhail caused 36 knife wounds, including five “defensive” wounds, during the early evening attack.

Holly was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle but could not be saved.

The killer, who has autism and a low IQ, denied murder but admitted manslaughter and said he had no memory of stabbing Holly or her friend.

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(c) Sky News 2024: Holly Newton murder: Teen who killed 15-year-old ex-girlfriend in knife attack jailed