Logan MacPhail jailed: Detective praises brave witnesses who tried to stop Holly Newton's knife murder
by Sophie Doughty · ChronicleLiveBrave witnesses who stepped in to try and save teen stab victim Holly Newton from her attacker have today been praised.
The 15-year-old died after she knifed repeatedly by her ex-boyfriend in a Hexham alleyway. Logan MacPhail was now been given a minimum of 17 years after a jury found him guilty of murdering Holly and wounding a teenage boy.
As Holly was attacked in the back lane, the boy tried to help her, which is when he was seriously injured. Two passing strangers who realised what was going on also ventured into the darkness to intervene, Newcastle Crown Court heard. And by the time police arrived MacPhail was being held in a nearby bus stop by members of the public.
Those who tried to help later became key witnesses in the police investigation. And today the Northumbria Police detective who led the murder probe has praised their courage.
Det Sgt Darren Davies said: "I don't think you can underestimate the bravery when someone as entered an alleyway when someone is being attacked."
Newcastle Crown Court heard how MacPhail, from Birtley in Gateshead, took it badly when his 18 month relationship with Holly came to an end. In the run-up to the murder the now 17-year-old tried to get his ex to meet him saying he wanted to get some possessions back. Then on Friday January 27, 2023, he left his Gateshead school early and caught a bus to Hexham where Holly, from Haltwhistle, went to school.
CCTV showed him following Holly and her friends for a period of around 45 minutes before eventually approaching her outside a pizza shop where the boy she had been with was ordering food.
Holly, unaware that Logan was carrying a knife, agreed to speak to him in an alleyway next to the takeaway, which is where MacPhail launched his frenzied attack. The boy suffered knife injuries when he went to Holly's aid. Passers-by and people from the shop also went to stop MacPhail, who was pulled off Holly while still stabbing her.
Det Sgt Davies thanked the boy for his help with the investigation.
"He's done nothing wrong and he's witnessed the worst thing you could possibly witness and been seriously injured," he said. "It's something that will always be with him. He's been a massive help to us throughout."
And praising the passers-by who helped, Det Sgt Davies added: "There were two members of public who gave evidence during the trial. They went into the alleyway. They went in to help. It took a little while to realise he was armed as the knife had snapped. I believe the knife snapped because of the force used."
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community