A woman whose eldest son was murdered in a gang attack has told how her new-born baby boy arrived at almost exactly the same time as his much-loved older brother.

Zoey McGill’s fourth boy, Ralph, arrived at 4.03pm, seconds after Jack Woodley, who died at the age of 18 in 2021.

The new-born will carry 'Jack' as a middle name in memory of his older brother.

Zoey McGill Zoey McGill (Image: Contributor) Zoey, 37, from Newton Aycliffe, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital on Thursday, July 18, to be induced but did not give birth for two days as there were complications with the umbilical cord around Ralph’s neck.

She said: “I remember asking them what time he had been officially born.

“I had no idea of time as we had been in labour at this point for two days after having to be set off early due to complications

“I reached into my handbag and got Jack’s hospital tag and could not believe they were born with seconds difference.

“Everyone in the room cried their eyes out it was such an emotional time.”

Little Ralph Jack sleeping peacefully Little Ralph Jack sleeping peacefully (Image: Contributor) Ralph, who weighed 7lbs and 13oz, was delivered using forceps.

Zoey said she could not thank the staff on the labour ward enough.

She said: “They had all followed Jack’s case and were so loving.

“Even the trainees were crying and it was obviously a first for them seeing such trauma but a learning experience.

“I don’t think our NHS staff are given enough credit for the trauma they deal with day in day out.”

Zoey said her pregnancy was not planned but sees it as a blessing from Jack whose grave she visits every day.

Jack WoodleyJack Woodley (Image: Contributor)

Jack, who was 18, died the day after he was attacked and beaten by a gang before suffering a fatal stab wound while leaving the Houghton Feast.

Ten teenagers, who were aged 14 to 17 at the time, are serving life sentences for after they were jointly convicted of his murder.  

It was a case the sickened the country and inspired the launch of the Northern Echo’s campaign to tackle knife crime, which was backed by Zoey.

The campaign includes the creation of the North East Knife Crime Taskforce, a public forum new Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said should be rolled out across the country.

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After a powerful and emotional meeting with Zoey, Ms Cooper said her testimony would help shape the Government’s approach to tackle knife crime.

Zoey, who has two other sons, who are aged 16 and nine, said: “They have both been really excited to meet their new brother. They have been really looking forward to it.

“It is going to be really nice but it is such a shame that Jack is not here to meet him as well.”