The beginning of the sentence of a jealous teenager who killed a 15-year-old ex-girlfriend

A jealous teenager who killed his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend after she ended their relationship will be sentenced this week.

Logan McPhail, now 17, stabbed Holly Newton 36 times in an alleyway after stalking her in Hexham town centre, Northumberland, in January 2023.

He was convicted after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court and earlier this month a judge lifted a reporting restriction that prevented the media from identifying him.

McPhail, who is autistic and has learning difficulties, could not come to terms with the fact that their 18-month relationship was over.

McPhail was eventually taken home by the police, who had been reported missing by his mother.

Holly’s mother, Mikala Trussler, was so concerned that she contacted the police and arranged to speak with an officer about McPhail’s behavior the next day.

That same day, McPhail stabbed Holly to death.

McPhail, who met Holly when they were both in the army, claimed he never planned to attack her but wanted to use the knife to kill himself.

McPhail denied murder but admitted manslaughter, claiming he had passed out, but his story was rejected by the jury.

Judge Hilliard said sentencing would take two days.