A candlelit vigil is being held tonight (Sunday, October 16) to mark the first anniversary of a deadly attack on a teenager that would shock and sicken the region.

It is now a year since 18-year-old Jack Woodley suffered a fatal stab wound after a severe beating by a gang of youths as he left the fun fair at the Houghton Feast.

His attackers, aged 14 to 17 at the time, are now serving life sentences for murder, although the minimum terms imposed by a judge mean some will be in their late 20s when they are released.

Read more: Jack Woodley's mum still visits his grave every night

The Northern Echo: Jack WoodleyJack Woodley (Image: Contributor)

Details of the horrific attack emerged during a three-month trial at Newcastle Crown Court, which culminated in the conviction of all ten of Jack’s attackers.

The jury heard how he was punched, kicked and stamped on before he was stabbed with a ‘Rambo-style’ knife by a 15-year-old boy.

Jack’s mother, Zoey McGill, from Newton Aycliffe, is staging the vigil at the Britannia Inn on Newbottle Street in Houghton-le-Spring, near the spot where the fateful attack took place.

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She will be joined by family and friends of the popular teenager who want to honour his memory and pay their respects at 7pm this evening.

The Northern Echo: Jack Woodley's mother Zoey McGill. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO Jack Woodley's mother Zoey McGill. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Zoey, who is now campaigning to prevent knife crime, said: “For me, it feels like it happened last night.

“Every day, every single day I wake up and it is like being in a nightmare.

"It is now a year since we lost Jack and it still does not feel real that we will never see him again."

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