A 15-year-old student was murdered by her jealous ex-boyfriend days after breaking up, it can now be revealed.
Obsessed Logan MacPhail, who was 16 at the time, was “very unhappy” about splitting from Holly Newton after an 18-month relationship and was “stalking” her.
He was so consumed with jealousy that when he saw Holly walking around town with another boy he ended up stabbing her to death in a frenzied attack in an alleyway, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Holly suffered 36 injuries in the attack with a kitchen knife that MacPhail brought with him.
The other teenager heard his screams and put him in a headlock, but was also stabbed before members of the public intervened. The boy needed surgery and was lucky to survive, the court heard.
Teenage killer Logan Macphail, 17, was unmasked for the first time after stabbing his ex-girlfriend
MacPhail was said to be 'very unhappy' after splitting from Holly Newton (pictured) following an 18-month relationship
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 around 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
MacPhail was found guilty of murder in August and now, just weeks away from his 18th birthday, the judge has lifted the reporting restriction that allows the killer to be identified.
The ruling means the full nature of his shocking teenage crime of passion can now be revealed. MacPhail is expected to be sentenced later this month.
At the time of the murder in January last year, MacPhail, who is autistic and has learning difficulties, was attending a special school in Gateshead.
He met Holly through army cadets and they had been boyfriend and girlfriend for some time.
The jury was told that Holly liked her boyfriend 'spending money on her', but a friend said they argued frequently and the relationship became 'toxic' before the break-up. The young couple had already separated several times.
Prosecutor David Brooke, KC, said MacPhail was 'struggling to come to terms with the break-up' and the night before the alleged murder he traveled to the village of Haltwhistle, near Hexham, where Holly lived and was reported missing to police by her mother .
He then went to Holly's house, but her mother wouldn't let him in. Police later contacted him by phone. The court heard that MacPhail met with officers at 1am and they took him home.
17-year-old killer can be seen arriving in Hexham after getting off the bus
Holly suffered 36 injuries in the attack with a kitchen knife that MacPhail brought with him
A look at the funeral order of service booklet at Holly's funeral at Hexham Abbey
Holly's mother, Micala Trussler, speaks to the media outside Newcastle Crown Court on August 29
After the verdict, Mrs Trussler paid tribute to her daughter, saying: 'Holly was a beautiful child'
A memorial vigil takes place at the bandstand in Hexham, Northumberland, following Holly's 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, Newcastle Crown Court heard
A police forensic team attends the scene of the murder the day after the attack
An arrangement was made for Holly to go with her mother to discuss the stalking issue with the police after school the next day. However, Holly wanted to go out with friends and convinced her mother to reschedule the meeting for later that night.
Holly's mother, Micala Trussler, described this decision as “the biggest mistake of my life.”
On the day of the murder, Holly only left the school after a check was made to ensure MacPhail was not outside.
In fact, he was waiting for Holly in Hexham after leaving school early, telling a teacher he was tired and wanted to go home.
MacPhail followed Holly, who was with a girlfriend and another boy, at a distance but was spotted. Holly finally agreed to talk to him in an alley near a pizzeria.
Out of sight, he then launched the fierce attack. MacPhail, who admitted manslaughter but denied murder, told police that Holly was 'horrible' to him when they talked in the alley and his 'mind went blank'.
Holly's coffin is carried during her funeral at Hexham Abbey
Holly was described by her mother as “a funny, happy teenager who would do anything for anyone.”
MacPhail told police Holly was 'horrible' to him when they talked in the alley and his 'mind went blank'
A member of the public walks past floral tributes that were placed at the scene of the murder
MacPhail was found guilty of murder in August and now, just weeks away from his 18th birthday, the judge has lifted a reporting restriction that allows the killer to be identified.
The prosecution rejected this defense and convinced jurors that they could be sure he knew what he was doing.
Following the verdict, Mrs 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 fun, happy teenager who would do anything for anyone.
She also added that her dance-mad daughter 'would do anything to make people smile'.
In his decision allowing MacPhail to be identified before his 18th birthday, Judge Hilliard said: “There is great public concern about murders by young people carrying knives in public places and about violence against women and girls.
'Legitimate debate is aided by knowledge of who committed such crimes and their circumstances and the full details of the crimes in question.'
