Logan MacPhail jailed: 'Brave' teen stabbed after intervening in Holly Newton's murder still has nightmares

A teenage boy who bravely intervened when he saw Holly Newton being stabbed by Logan MacPhail has said he still battles nightmares.

The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was stabbed himself as he tried to help her after seeing the attack unfold. On Friday, MacPhail was detained at His Majesty’s Pleasure, and must serve a minimum term of 17 years for the brutal and vicious murder of Holly.

During the sentencing, Justice Nicholas Hilliard said the teen showed "remarkable bravery" after sustaining the stab injuries. Two of the stab wounds narrowly missed the vertebral artery which would have resulted in a life threatening injury.

The teen read out a statement in court, where he described the aftermath of the murder. He said: "I find it hard to talk about what happened in Hexham that day, but it has impacted me a lot and effects me to this day, physically, mentally and financially. My relationship with my family has been affected as I now avoid going to Hexham."

He said it has affected his relationship with family members and added: "I have also lost contact with friends who live there."

The teenager said: "I enjoy going to the gym but due to the injury to my shoulder I am now restricted in what I can do, and it is going to affect what jobs I can do in the future. I am struggling with my mental health, I can’t sleep at night, have nightmares and I have lost a lot of weight as I have no appetite. I also struggled with my GCSE’s as I couldn’t concentrate."

He added: "My family have seen a change in me as I do not want to go out as much and sit in my bedroom a lot. What happened to me and what I’ve been through, I wouldn’t wish it upon anybody and I can’t imagine what Holly’s family are going through. Whatever sentence Logan gets isn’t going to change what happened that day or make me forget, but hope he gets the punishment he deserves."

MacPhail was given a 17 year minimum term by the judge, but as he has already spent 641 days on remand, he will serve 15 years and 89 days from today. He was given five years for the wounding offence, which will be served concurrently.

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