The teenager accused of the murder of Holly Newton told police his mind went “blank” as he was in an alleyway with her while holding a knife.

A jury at Newcastle Crown Court has heard that having taken a bus to Hexham after leaving school early on Friday, January 27, last year, the defendant, then aged 16, who had taken a knife with him, walked around the town before crossing paths with Holly, who he knew, at a bus stop in Priestpopple.

They had words and she agreed to speak to him further down a nearby alleyway, where 15-year-old Holly then suffered multiple stab wounds, from which her death was confirmed later, at hospital.

The defendant is also said to have stabbed a 16-year-old boy who had been with Holly, and who attempted to go to her aid.

(Image: Northumbria Police/North News)

Now aged 17, the defendant has admitted the manslaughter of Holly, but denies her murder.

He also denies wounding the teenage boy with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

But he has admitted to having a bladed article with him in public that day.

The court heard that when asked in his police interview what took place in the alleyway, he told them his mind went “blank”.

Giving evidence in the fourth week of his trial, the defendant, now 17, was asked by defence counsel, Nigel Edwards KC: “What you said about your mind ‘going blank’ when you stabbed Holly. Was that true?

He replied: “Yes.”

“What you said about your mind playing tricks on you?

He again replied “yes”.

But when asked if he had wanted to kill Holly, or to hurt her or the teenage boy who was injured, he replied “no” to each question.

(Image: Northumbria Police)

Cross-examining the defendant, prosecuting counsel, David Brooke KC, referred to the moment when the defendant was charged with Holly’s murder at the police station and he asked an officer if she was dead.

Mr Brooke asked the defendant: “Did you say that because you were hoping she hadn’t really died?”

The defendant replied: “I was probably hoping that she was probably still here.

“I think I was thinking at the time she was perfectly fine, and she wasn’t really.”

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Asked what he saw in the immediate aftermath of the incident, the defendant replied: “I don’t know. All I genuinely saw was her lying on the floor when I was at the bus stop.”

When asked by Mr Brooke if he realised at that time if she was very badly hurt, he replied: “I don’t really think so.

“I’m not really sure of that.

“I suppose I was confused what went on.”

See more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

Get more news from The Northern Echo by taking advantage of subscription offer. For details, click here

The court heard that the defendant claimed he took the knife with him that day intending to harm himself, as he had done in the past, and not to hurt Holly.

He said he had tried to harm himself in a toilet, but the blade appeared to be fairly blunt and did not cause injury to himself.

When the trial resumes tomorrow (Thursday, August 8), he will continue to give evidence.