Speaking after the sentencing, Det Sgt Darren Davies of Northumbria Police said it was a "truly devastating case" with "Holly's future cruelly taken away" by MacPhail.

"Of course, nothing will ever reverse the tragic events of that evening," Mr Davies said, adding: "But I hope the result today will bring her loved ones a sense of closure so they can attempt to move forward.

"So many lives have been changed forever by the decisions he made that night – and now he will have plenty of time to think about that in his cell.

"We would urge everyone to look at the pain this incident has caused to so many people – and think twice before carrying a weapon of any kind."

Image source, Family handout

During his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Hilliard said a number of things about Holly.

These included:

• The value of her life was "beyond measure" and no sentence could ever compensate for or right the wrong of her death
• She was a "beautiful child" who grew into a "happy and funny teenager who would do anything for anyone"
• Holly "loved all types of sport" and was an especially keen dancer
• She was a "quiet" student who "never had a bad report"
• She was "passionate" about her family, loved her pet cat and had a "small and tight-knit group of friends"
• Holly and her family had had many years ahead which they would "never see"

In the wake of Holly's murder, Northumbria Police have also sought to raise awareness among parents and teenagers about toxic relationships.

Det Sgt Darren Davies, who worked on the investigation which ended with MacPhail's conviction, said: "It's quite clear that as generations and technologies change, children are often far more involved in each other's lives and their relationships are far more intense than they were when I was 14, 15 or 16.

"There needs to be parental, teacher and societal conversations around the intensity of teenage relationships to make sure that teenagers are aware of what's healthy and what's not, around contact, friends, passwords and access to each other's social media and friend groups.

"Parents need to be a lot more aware because these things can happen.

"There needs to be more done around healthy relationships with teenagers to make them aware of where boundaries are and where boundaries should be at such a young age."

Image source, Family handout

Holly's mother Micala Trussler has also been speaking out about the domestic abuse she says her daughter suffered at the hands of MacPhail.

She said Holly "felt sorry" for MacPhail due to his learning difficulties and speech impediment, but he used "emotional blackmail" to keep them together.

"He was obsessed with her for a long time," Ms Trussler said, adding: "He didn't like her to go out. He didn't want her to go out with her friends. He needed to know where she was all the time, even if she was just at home. He wanted to know what she was doing.

"There was just a lot of controlling behaviour going on."

Mss Trussler said because of her young age, the legal system did not consider that her daughter had been a victim of domestic abuse.

But the family was sure that MacPhail, then aged 16, exercised coercive control over Holly, even though they did not live together.

Ms Trussler said Holly told her that MacPhail had once warned her that "if he couldn't have her, then nobody could".

The grieving mother said: "What we didn't know is he meant it."

Holly and her parents were actually due to meet police to discuss their fears about MacPhail but there was a tragic twist of fate.

After MacPhail turned up at their home in Haltwhistle uninvited and demanding to speak to Holly on the night of 26 January, Holly's mother Micala Trussler (pictured above with her partner Lee) contacted Northumbria Police.

A meeting was scheduled for about 16:00 GMT on 27 January but Holly begged for it to be pushed back so she could go out with her friends after school instead.

Micala recalled how MacPhail had restricted her movements during their relationship and how Holly just wanted to be able to go round the shops with her mates, so Micala agreed to push the meeting back until the evening.

It was to be the "biggest mistake" of her life, Micala said, with Holly killed hours before the rescheduled meeting was due to take place.

You can read more about it here.

Image source, Family handout

When determining the sentence, Mr Justice Hilliard took into account what was said in mitigation for MacPhail, so it's worth looking back at what was said on his behalf.

The teenager's legal team had argued any premeditation or planning was "limited" with his barrister Nigel Edwards KC saying the attack was a "spontaneous eruption" of violence in a "fast-moving" situation.

He said MacPhail became "angry and lashed out" but he had been speaking to Holly for about 15 minutes before he actually attacked her.

Mr Edwards also said MacPhail only intended to cause "bodily harm" rather than kill Holly.

He said the teenager had had an "unconscionable" childhood with years of abuse, which was a "significant" mitigating factor, but it did not excuse his actions.

Mr Edwards said MacPhail described himself as a "monster" who "no-one could love".

Mr Justice Hilliard gave very full and detailed sentencing remarks outlining the background of the case and the factors he felt were important when deciding what Logan MacPhail's minimum term of detention should be.

Here were some of the key lines:

• MacPhail was "filled with resentment and jealousy" after Holly ended their relationship
• The relationship was especially important to MacPhail as he had a chaotic home life and struggled to make friends
• MacPhail took the knife with him to "pressure" Holly into resuming relations by threatening to harm himself with it if she did not take him back
• Having realised it was definitely over, MacPhail lured her into the alley with the express of purpose of killing Holly
• Holly was a "child" who must have realised she was "fighting for her life"

Image source, Northumbria Police

The hearing at Newcastle Crown Court has now ended with Mr Justice Hilliard thanking both legal teams for their work.

The judge left the room for several minutes before returning to briefly discuss a legal matter with counsel.

He took about 40 minutes to deliver his sentencing remarks, with the actual sentence coming quite quickly at the end.

Mr Justice Hilliard has now gone again and court has dispersed.

We will aim to bring you reaction to the sentencing of Logan MacPhail as soon as we have it.

Image source, Family handout

If you are just joining us, here is a quick recap of the case.

• Holly Newton, 15, was repeatedly stabbed in an alleyway in Hexham at about 17:00 GMT on 27 January 2023 by her ex-boyfriend Logan MacPhail, then aged 16.
• He had admitted manslaughter but was found guilty by jurors of murdering Holly and intentionally wounding another youth who tried to stop the attack.
• MacPhail stalked Holly and her friends through Hexham for almost an hour before confronting her when she was alone and luring her into the alley.
• He has been sentenced to life detention with a minimum of 17 years, with judge Mr Justice Hilliard saying it was a "vicious and brutal" killing with MacPhail "filled with resentment and jealousy" after Holly ended their 18-month relationship.

There was little audible reaction as the sentence was delivered with MacPhail immediately escorted out of the dock.

The judge also quickly rose but is due to return shortly to discuss another legal matter relating to the case.

Logan MacPhail has been sentenced to life detention with a minimum of 17 years for the murder of Holly Newton.

He was also detained for five years to run concurrently for wounding with intent the other boy.

The judge says he believes doctors who assessed MacPhail "undervalued" his "ability to function in life".

He says it was initially argued by defence experts that MacPhail was unfit to stand trial but that was "not right".

He says MacPhail also "deliberately understated" his "understanding" of the trial process.

He says McPhail's diagnosis with autism spectrum disorder was at the "mild" end and his "low measured IQ really had no material part to play in what happened".

The judge also says MacPhail was "well able to understand" the effect of his behaviour on people, adding his actions "went so far beyond a case of bad judgement, poor choices or limited understanding".

Mr Justice Hilliard says there should be a starting point of 15 to 17 years minimum detention.

He says the fact the "motivation was resentment towards Holly and jealousy also makes the case more serious".

He tells MacPhail: "Holly was a child, she was no match for you armed with a knife.

"She must have realised before she died, I'm afraid, that she was fighting for her life."

The judge says he "cannot be sure" MacPhail took the knife with him that day intending to use it on Holly.

He says given MacPhail's previous threats he would cut himself if she broke up with him, he had it with him so "if she did not wish to resume the relationship" he could produce the weapon to threaten to actually harm himself.

The judge says it was "all to put pressure on her to take up with you again" and MacPhail wanted to "frighten and distress" Holly.

But he attacked her with it after it became apparent she was adamant it was over.

The judge says McPhail had also been told by multiple people he should "leave Holly alone".

Mr Justice Hilliard says McPhail wanted to attack Holly because he finally realised she was serious about their relationship being over.

He says MacPhail lured Holly into the alley with the specific aim of attacking her where other people could not intervene.

"You were filled with resentment and jealousy but still able to calculate where best to attack her and able to wait until you got that opportunity," the judge says.

The judge says the attack in the alleyway was "vicious and brutal", inflicting 12 stab wounds, five defence type injuries to her hands and 19 other sharp force injuries and "unsurvivable blood loss".

He said the force used was so severe the knife broke and stabbings to her head were a "terrible thing to do" with Holly's mother stopped from seeing her due to the "horrifying condition she was in".

The judge says he is "sure" MacPhail intended to kill Holly and "knew how final death was", dismissing claims made on his behalf that he did not really understand what death would mean.

He praised those who intervened and tried to support Holly who behaved in a "exemplary way and deserve public commendation".

The judge says MacPhail lied and made excuses to try and see Holly.

He went to her home in Haltwhistle, Northumberland, on 26 January on the pretext of getting a games console which the judge said he was sure was an "excuse" to see her and try hopefully to resume their relationship.

On the morning of 27 January MacPhail messaged a friend of Holly's saying he planned to see her after school that day but was told that was "not a good idea".

"I'm sure you knew Holly did not want to see you," the judge says.

Mr Justice Hilliard tells MacPhail no sentence can make right what he did or put a value on Holly's life which was "beyond measure".

He says McPhail was "obsessed" with Holly, who was a "beautiful child" who grew into a "happy and funny teenager who would do anything for anyone".

The judge says Holly "loved" all types of sport and was a keen dancer from a young age, adding she was a "quiet student at school who never had a bad report".

Holly had a "small and tight-knit group of friends", was "passionate" about her family and had a cat which she loved, the judge says.

She had "all those years ahead" which she and her family would now never see, the judge adds.

Proceedings have begun with a victim statement read by the youth who was stabbed in the thigh, neck and shoulder while trying to stop the attack

His identity cannot be revealed, but he said the attack had a major impact on his life.

He said he suffered nightmares, had mental health issues and had lost out on a plumbing apprenticeship because of the injuries he suffered to his shoulder, which would also affect his future job prospects.

The youth said he "struggled" with his GCSEs and he did not want to go out as much, never wanting to return to Hexham.

"What happened to me I wouldn't wish on anyone and I can't imagine what Holly's family are going through now," the boy said.

Mr Justice Hilliard said the youth could have been killed and he showed "remarkable bravery".

Judge Mr Justice Hilliard has now entered the courtroom.

The hearing begins with MacPhail's legal team asking if proceedings can go slowly with breaks if necessary.

The judge says allowances will be made but there is a lot to get through.