Logan MacPhail, the teenager responsible for the brutal murder of 15-year-old Holly Newton in Northumberland, has been publicly named after restrictions were lifted in connection to the case. MacPhail, now 17, fatally stabbed Holly in a frenzied attack that took place in Hexham on 27 January 2023.
During the assault, MacPhail inflicted 36 knife wounds on Holly, including 12 stabbings and 19 slashes, with five of the injuries being described as “defensive.” Despite efforts to save her, Holly tragically died after being rushed to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
A 16-year-old boy, who was with Holly at the time and attempted to intervene, was also attacked by MacPhail. He suffered serious injuries to his shoulder, arm, and thigh, which required surgery. MacPhail was convicted of murder and wounding with intent in August 2024 but had remained anonymous due to his age. However, a judge has now ruled that MacPhail can be publicly identified as he approaches his 18th birthday on 9 December.
MacPhail had been in a relationship with Holly, but the trial revealed that Holly no longer wished to continue the relationship, which prosecutors said sparked jealousy when she began seeing someone new. On the day of her murder, Holly’s mother, Micala Trussler, had become so concerned about MacPhail’s behaviour that she contacted the police and arranged for Holly to remain at school if he was nearby. Holly also confided in a friend that she felt MacPhail was “stalking her.”
On the day of the attack, MacPhail followed Holly through Hexham town centre for about 45 minutes as she visited shops with friends. CCTV footage captured him waiting at a bus stop before he lured Holly down an alleyway, where he carried out the fatal attack. The knife used in the attack was found to have broken during the assault.
MacPhail, who has autism and a low IQ, denied murder but admitted to manslaughter, claiming he could not remember the stabbing. He stated during the trial that his intention had been to take his own life and that his mind “went blank” during the attack. However, the jury rejected his defence, convicting him of murder.
MacPhail is set to be sentenced at the end of October and beginning of November, where he faces life imprisonment.
In a statement read at the trial, Holly’s mother described her daughter as a “funny and happy teenager” who was deeply loved by her close-knit group of friends. She spoke of Holly’s passion for sports and dancing, which helped build her self-confidence and made her feel “fearless.
Holly’s tragic death continues to devastate her family and the local community, as they remember the bright and vibrant young girl taken far too soon.
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