Northumbria Police referred itself to watchdog after Holly Newton's murder, but no investigation launched

Northumbria Police referred itself to the police watchdog following the murder of teenager Holly Newton.

The 15-year-old died after she was knifed repeatedly by her ex-boyfriend Logan MacPhail in a Hexham alleyway. After a jury found MacPhail guilty of murdering Holly and wounding another youth, in January 2023. The court heard how hours before Holly was killed her mum, Micala Trussler, contacted police to report her concerns about MacPhail's behaviour.

In an interview with the BBC Micala revealed that she had arranged a meeting with Northumbria Police to discuss her fears. It was scheduled for the evening of January 27. Holly was stabbed hours before it was due to take place. Now the Chronicle can reveal that Northumbria Police referred itself to the Independent Office For Police Conduct (IOPC), as is standard practice when someone dies or is seriously injured following police contact.

However, the Chronicle understands that after assessing the referral it was decided no investigation was required.

Tragically the meeting had originally been scheduled for 4pm, an hour before the stabbing, but Micala told the BBC she agreed to delay it after Holly said she wanted to go out with her friends after school.

"They'd agreed to come out at four o'clock on the Friday so I told Holly and she said 'I was supposed to be going out with my friends tonight'. She begged me," Micala said. "She said 'He ruins everything for me, I want to go out'. The biggest mistake of my life, I agreed."

Jurors heard how MacPhail, of Birtley, Gateshead, was found guilty of murdering Holly and wounding another youth with intent, following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Jurors at Newcastle Crown Court heard how MacPhail, of Birtley, Gateshead, had taken it badly when his 18-month relationship with Holly came to an end. And on the day of the murder he left school early and travelled from Gateshead to Hexham.

David Brooke KC, prosecuting, said: “They had been boyfriend and girlfriend but had recently split up. It is clear from the evidence that Logan MacPhail was very unhappy about the break-up."

The court heard how MacPhail approached Holly outside a pizza shop where a boy she had been with was ordering food.

Holly, unaware that her ex was carrying a knife, agreed to speak to him in an alleyway next to the takeaway, which is where MacPhail launched his frenzied attack. A boy who went to Holly’s aid also suffered knife injuries and passers-by and people from the shop went to stop MacPhail, who was pulled off Holly while still stabbing her.

The court heard MacPhail attended Cedar College, Gateshead, a special school. He was described as having autism and special educational needs. He met Holly through attending Army cadets in Consett and they were in a relationship for 18 months.

Holly’s friend described the relationship as "toxic" and said they would frequently argue. The court heard it turned out MacPhail had travelled close to where Holly lived the night before he killed her. Police received a report he was missing from home and “feeling down” after breaking up with his girlfriend. Further information was received by police through Mac­­Phail’s mother that he was in a park in Haltwhistle waiting to get his possessions back from Holly. Police found him and took him home.

Phone messages showed MacPhail wanted to get his PlayStation back by meeting Holly at Haltwhistle park. She replied but refused to meet him in Haltwhistle and said that she could meet him in Hexham the following day after school. She later sent messages to someone saying she was worried in case “he follows us and it all kicks off”.

The court heard messages recovered from Holly’s phone “show her attitude” to MacPhail. In one, at 8.15am, on the day she died she stated: “Apparently Logan is gonna meet me outside of school”, adding “so he’s basically stalking me at this point. He’s gonna follow me until I talk to him.”

MacPhail is due to be sentenced next week.

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community

Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.

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.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN