A teenage boy who fatally stabbed his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend has been sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison. Logan MacPhail, who stalked Holly Newton for nearly an hour before attacking her in Hexham, Northumberland, was 16 at the time of the incident in January 2023. Although he initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a jury found him guilty of murder and also convicted him of deliberately injuring another young person who attempted to intervene.

During the sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Mr Justice Hilliard described MacPhail as being “filled with resentment” and stated that he had intended to kill Holly during the “vicious and brutal” assault. The couple had been in a relationship for 18 months after meeting in army cadets. Holly’s mother, Micala Trussler, told the court that their relationship was typical for teenagers; however, she later recognized warning signs regarding MacPhail’s controlling behavior that went unnoticed until it was too late. She expressed regret over not understanding the emotional distress Holly faced while trying to end things with MacPhail.

Days before the attack, Holly had decided to break up with him, which left MacPhail feeling “angry” and “jealous.” On the evening of January 26, he showed up uninvited outside her home and had to be escorted away by police. The next day, armed with a kitchen knife concealed in his backpack, he left school early and traveled to Hexham, where he waited for Holly.

Wearing dark clothing and a mask, MacPhail followed Holly and her friends for about 45 minutes as they visited local venues. When Holly was alone at a bus stop, he confronted her and lured her into an alley where he launched a brutal attack lasting approximately one minute. In total, Holly sustained 36 stab wounds during this horrific encounter; another boy who tried to pull MacPhail away was also injured.

The assault ended when several bystanders intervened. Mr Justice Hilliard noted that MacPhail had taken the knife intending to intimidate Holly into resuming their relationship. When it became clear she wouldn’t relent, he sought to kill her in a secluded area. The judge emphasized that Holly fought desperately for her life during the attack.

Mr Justice Hilliard characterized Holly as a bright and caring young woman whose life was cut short far too early. He highlighted that any claims regarding MacPhail’s mental state were irrelevant since he clearly understood the gravity of his actions. The judge underscored the immeasurable value of Holly’s life and expressed deep sorrow for what her family lost due to this tragedy.