Holly Newton's killer Logan MacPhail detained for life with a minimum term of 17 years

Watch Gregg Easteal's report on the murder of Holly Newton and the sentencing of her killer.

A teenager who stabbed 15-year-old Holly Newton to death in Hexham, Northumberland, has been detained for life with a minimum term of 17 years.

Logan MacPhail, then aged 16, stalked Holly - who was his ex-girlfriend - for an hour through Hexham, before stabbing her 36 times in an alleyway.

Controlling ex to cold-hearted killer: The teen who stabbed schoolgirl to death

CCTV showed him wearing a snood and a baseball cap and ducking out of sight as he followed Holly and her friends around the town centre.

He also stabbed a teenage boy who intervened to try to stop the attack.

Logan MacPhail stalked Holly for an hour through Hexham town centre before he murdered her. Credit: Northumbria Police

He was convicted of murder following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, and was sentenced at the same court on Friday.

Last month the judge lifted a reporting restriction which had prevented the media from identifying him due to his age.

The prosecution said MacPhail, who has autism and learning difficulties, did not accept that their 18-month relationship was over.

The night before he murdered Holly, he travelled 40 miles from his home in Gateshead to hers in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, where he hung around for hours.

MacPhail was eventually taken home by police who had been alerted by his mother that he was missing.

Holly was a keen dancer before she was killed. Credit: Family handout

Holly’s mother, Micala Trussler, was concerned enough to contact the police and arranged to speak to an officer about MacPhail’s behaviour the next afternoon.

That same afternoon, MacPhail stabbed Holly to death.

MacPhail, who met Holly when they both attended Army cadets, claimed he never planned to attack her, but wanted to use the knife to kill himself – but the jury rejected his story.

In a victim statement on Thursday, Mrs Trussler described not being able to be with her fatally-injured daughter in hospital because her body “was a crime scene”.

The mother-of-four said Holly and MacPhail had a typical teenage relationship at first, but her daughter came to realise he was controlling her.

Mrs Trussler believed her daughter was the victim of domestic abuse, although she was under 16 at the time, and was caused emotional turmoil by her ex-partner.

He changed her social media passwords and made her believe he could hack into her accounts, as well as threatening to self-harm.

The night before the murder, MacPhail tried repeatedly to be allowed into Holly’s home and hung around for hours, trying to convince one of her siblings to open the door.

“I dread to think what could have happened to the rest of my family had he been allowed inside,” the mother said.

What are the signs of domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)

Psychological and/or emotional abuse

Physical or sexual abuse.

Financial or economic abuse.

Harassment and stalking.

Online or digital abuse.

If you are in immediate danger, always call the police, and always dial 999 if it is an emergency and press 55 if you can’t talk (only on mobile phones). They have a duty to protect and help you.

If you visit any of these websites, please read the ‘hide your visit’ / ‘cover your tracks’ / safety information – or click on ‘Exit Website’

Codeword scheme - ANI

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ‘ANI’ in a participating pharmacy. ‘ANI’ stands for Action Needed Immediately but also phonetically sounds like the name Annie. If a pharmacy has the ‘Ask for ANI’ logo on display, it means they’re ready to help. They will offer you a private space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.

Clare’s Law

If you are concerned about a partner’s history of domestic abuse, or are asking on behalf of someone else, then you call visit your local police station, apply online through the website of your local force, or call 101.

If you need support, the following services are available:

  • Women's Aid Support Information - Women’s Aid’s directory contains details of local, regional and national services. Women's Aid has a range of direct services for survivors, including a live chat service and an online Survivors’ Forum.

  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline - free and confidential support is available from Refuge’s 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Live chat is also available Monday-Friday 3-10 pm at  www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk.

  • I Choose Freedom - Providing refuges for survivors fleeing domestic abuse. https://www.ichoosefreedom.co.uk/

  • SafeLives - UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good. https://safelives.org.uk/reach-in

  • Respect: The Men’s Advice Line - servoce for men who have been affected by domestic abuse. Helpline: 0808 801 0327 (Mon 10am - 5pm) Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk (Mon - Fri 9am -5pm) Links for Live Chat: https://mensadviceline.org.uk/contact-us/ (Wed 10 - 11:30am & Thurs 2 - 4pm)

  • Galop - National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 999 5428, or via email at help@galop.org.uk.Live chat is also available for LGBT+ abuse and violence survivors on their website.

  • Samaritans – 24/7 confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Call 116 123 (freephone, landlines and mobile).

  • Victim Support - Support for anyone who has experienced domestic abuse, regardless of whether it has been reported to the police. Free 24/7/ supportline available on 0808 168 9111 or live chat available at their website.

  • SAMM (Support after Murder and Manslaughter) - Peer Support Volunteers. Support available online, by email or by phone on 0121 472 2912 or by text on 07342 888570

  • Rape Crisis England and Wales - The 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line. Free 24 hours phone and online chat service, for anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales who has experienced something sexual that they didn’t want, didn’t consent to, or are feeling confused about – no matter when or where it happened.For victims and survivors of any gender. Support Line: 0808 500 2222.

  • Chayn - provides online help and resources in a number of languages about identifying manipulative situations and how friends can support those being abused. https://www.chayn.co/

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