'Everything was controlling': Mother of schoolgirl, 15, stabbed to death in an alleyway opens up about her daughter's killer ex as he's finally unmasked
The mother of a murdered 15-year-old schoolgirl who was stabbed 36 times by her jealous ex-boyfriend today spoke of his controlling and toxic behaviour.
The mother of a murdered 15-year-old schoolgirl who was stabbed 36 times by her jealous ex-boyfriend today spoke of his controlling and toxic behaviour.
Keen dancer Holly Newton was on her way home from school and was doing some shopping with friends in Hexham, Northumberland in January 2023.
Her obsessed ex Logan MacPhail, 17, was 16 at the time and had ambitions to become a sniper, was very unhappy when their 18-month relationship ended and had been stalking her.
When he spotted the bright and beautiful girl with another boy, he followed her for around 45 minutes as he tailed them around the town centre, careful not to be seen.
He was so consumed with jealousy that he stabbed her to death in an attack with a kitchen knife in an alleyway, Newcastle Crown Court heard. He slashed her 19 times and caused five defensive injuries in a frenzy which snapped the knife.
The other teenage boy heard her screams and got him in a headlock but was also stabbed before brave locals intervened. The boy needed surgery and was lucky to survive, the court heard.
The night before Holly was killed, her mother was so worried that she contacted the police at 9:40pm, as he had turned up at their home.
MacPhail was said to be very unhappy after splitting with Holly Newton (pictured) following an 18-month relationship
Teen killer Logan Macphail, 17, has been unmasked for the first time after he stabbed Holly
Footage shows the killer on a bus to Hexham on the day of the attack. He was so consumed with jealousy that he stabbed her to death when he saw her walking in town with another boy
MacPhail, wearing a mask and hat, is pictured approaching Holly as she stands at a bus stop looking at her phone, moments before he lured her into an alleyway and brutally stabbed her to death
Hollys mother, Micala Trussler, speaks to the media outside Newcastle Crown Court
Floral tributes left at the scene in Hexham, Northumberland, after Holly was attacked
MacPhail was found guilty of murder in August and now, with his 18th birthday just weeks away, the judge lifted a reporting restriction which allowed the killer to be identified.
The decision means the full nature of his shocking crime of teenage passion can now be revealed. MacPhail is due to be sentenced later this month.
At the time of the murder in January last year MacPhail, who is autistic with learning difficulties, attended a special school in Gateshead.
He met Holly through army cadets, where he learned to covertly follow targets and expressed an interest in becoming a sniper.
The jury was told that Holly liked her boyfriend spending his money on her, but a friend said they argued frequently and the relationship had become toxic leading up to the break up.
Speaking to the BBC, Hollys mother Micala Trussler said MacPhail didnt want her to have other friends or to go out without him: He needed to know where she was at all times.
Ms Trussler and her partner Lee didnt think there was a problem until Hollys friends pointed out how toxic MacPhails behaviour was.
The teenagers broke up several times but he would then threaten to kill himself, making her feel guilty, in what is a common technique used in controlling relationships.
After the verdict Mrs Trussler paid tribute to her daughter, saying: Holly was a beautiful child
Holly suffered 36 injuries from the attack with a kitchen knife MacPhail had brought with him
The 17-year-old killer can be seen arriving at Hexham after getting off the bus
A look at the funeral order of service booklet at Hollys funeral in Hexham Abbey
A floral tribute for the funeral of Holly Newton at Hexham Abbey
One tribute at Hollys funeral read sleep tight, beautiful Holly
Her mother explained: Everything was controlling and when he couldnt control her there was a problem.
Prosecutor David Brooke, KC, told the court MacPhail was struggling to come to terms with the break up and the evening before the attack he travelled to Hollys home and was reported missing to police by his mother.
Her mother wouldnt let him in and police later contacted him by phone. The court heard MacPhail met officers at 1am and they took him home.
He waited for hours, claiming he just wanted to get his Playstation back.
MacPhail even messaged Hollys sibling asking if they could help him sneak in but they refused.
Her mother added hauntingly: I think if [MacPhail had] somehow managed to get into the house it could have been a whole different story - we could have been looking at maybe more than one murder.
I think he would have killed her just so she couldnt be with anybody else because it was all about control, obsession and passion, she continued, warning that other young people could be in similar situations.
After MacPhail turned up at the house, an arrangement was made for Holly to go with her mother to discuss the stalking problem with police after school the next day.
However, Holly wanted to go out with friends and persuaded her mother to reschedule the meeting for later that evening.
Ms Trussler described this decision as the biggest mistake of my life.
On the day of the murder Holly only left school after a check was made to ensure MacPhail was not outside.
She was extremely nervous about him turning up, but when there was no sign of him she went shopping with her friends - unaware of the boy tailing her.
A vigil takes place at the bandstand in Hexham, Northumberland, following Hollys death
Floral tributes pictured at the scene of the stabbing a day after the knife attack
MacPhail stabbed Holly to death in a frenzied attack in an alleyway, the court heard
MacPhail was found guilty of murder in August and now, with his 18th birthday just weeks away, the judge has lifted a reporting restriction which allows the killer to be identified
Mere hours before the fatal ambush, Holly sent a chilling message to her friend about the teenager.
She texted: Apparently [MacPhail] is gonna meet to me outside of school. So hes basically stalking me at this point.
Hes gonna follow me until I talk to him.
And the teenager was indeed waiting for Holly after leaving school early, telling a teacher he was tired and wanted to go home.
MacPhail followed Holly, who was with a friend and another boy, at a distance, but he was spotted. Holly eventually agreed to talk to him down an alleyway next to a pizza shop when he attacked her.
The teenager, who admitted manslaughter but denied murder, told police Holly was horrible to him when they talked in the alleyway and his mind went blank.
The attack in the alleyway wasnt captured on CCTV but the second boy she was with heard her screaming and ran to help before he was also stabbed, prosecutors said.
Jurors were told he saw her on the ground and pulled the attacker off in a headlock but the teenager then turned on him with the knife.
A police forensics team attends the scene of the murder a day after the attack
Hollys coffin is carried through during her funeral service at Hexham Abbey
Holly was described by her mother as being a funny and happy teenager who would do anything for anyone
MacPhail told police Holly was horrible to him when they talked in the alleyway and his mind went blank
A member of the public walks past floral tributes that were laid at the scene of the murder
Passers-by and people in the shop bravely entered the fray and the killer teenager was forcibly pulled off Holly while still stabbing her.
Both Holly and the 16-year-old boy were taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, but sadly the schoolgirl could not be saved.
The boy required surgery after his shoulder, arm and thigh were injured.
After killing Holly, the youth briefly started to cry then said Oh, what have I done?, while claiming she had been awful to him, the court heard.
After the verdict, Ms Trussler paid tribute to her daughter, saying: Holly was a beautiful child. She was my firstborn, a clingy child who never left my side. She grew into a funny and happy teenager who would do anything for anyone.
She also added that her dance-mad daughter would do anything to make people smile.
Hollys school said at the time: We are devastated at the loss of Holly, a truly lovely student who was quiet, conscientious, helpful and kind.
In his ruling allowing MacPhail to be identified before his 18th birthday, Mr Justice Hilliard said: There is great public concern about murders by young people who have carried knives in public places and about violence to women and girls.
Legitimate debate is assisted by knowing who has committed such offences and their circumstances and the full detail of the offences in question.
