Harrowing footage shows the moment tragic teen Holly Newton followed her ex-boyfriend Logan MacPhail into an alleyway - moments before she was stabbed to death. 

Logan MacPhail, then 16, stalked Holly Newton for an hour through Hexham, before knifing her 36 times in an alleyway, as well as stabbing a teen boy who tried to intervene.  

MacPhail was convicted of murder following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court in August and today (Friday, November 1) detained for life with a minimum term of 17 years.

Now, Northumbria Police has released CCTV footage showing MacPhail with Holly beside a bus stop, before goes out of sight by entering the nearby alleyway. 

CCTV footage of Holly following Logan MacPhail into the alleyway before she was tragically assaultedCCTV footage of Holly following Logan MacPhail into the alleyway before she was tragically assaulted (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)

The tragic footage then shows Holly enter the alley behind him, before she was tragically assaulted in a "vicious and brutal" knife attack on January 27, 2023. 

As previously reported, MacPhail had travelled 40 miles from his Gateshead home to hears in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, the night before the murder, where he hung around for hours. 

He was eventually taken home by police who had been alerted by his mother that he was missing.

Holly’s mother, Micala Trussler, was concerned enough to contact the police and arranged to speak to an officer about MacPhail’s behaviour the next afternoon. 

 Logan MacPhailLogan MacPhail (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)

That same afternoon, MacPhail travelled from Gateshead armed with a kitchen knife, before following Holly and her friends for around 45 minutes who were unaware of his presence.

He also made repeated contact with those close to Holly through voice messages in a bid to convince her to meet up with him face-to-face.

As Holly and the boy visited a takeaway on the town’s high street, he then approached her and asked if she would talk with him in a nearby alleyway.

After she followed him, he then stabbed her to death.

Holly NewtonHolly Newton (Image: Northumbria Police)

When her friend heard Holly cry out, he left the shop and intervened, before he was also stabbed in the shoulder and leg.

MacPhail was arrested and subsequently charged overnight with Holly’s murder, and later with grievous bodily harm with intent against the 16-year-old boy.

The now-17-year-old had previously admitted manslaughter and possession of a bladed article but denied murder and grievous bodily harm with intent.

He remained anonymous until last month when the judge lifted a reporting restriction which had prevented the media from identifying him due to his age.

MacPhail, of Birtley in Gateshead, was found guilty of both offences in August by jurors following a six-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court.


Recommended reading:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Click here.


Today he appeared before the same court and was handed a life sentence for murder, as well as a five-year prison sentence for grievous bodily harm with intent which will run concurrently.

If you are concerned about your own or a loved one’s relationship, we would encourage you to speak to someone you trust and, where appropriate, report to the most appropriate agency.

If you have immediate concerns that you or someone else might be at risk or in danger, please contact police immediately by calling 999.