Holly Newton's dad recalls hideous murder scene he begged wife not to look at

Logan MacPhail was sentenced to a minimum term of 17 years behind bars for the murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl Holly Newton, after luring her into an alleyway and stabbing her 36 times

The heartbroken parents of schoolgirl Holly Newton have described the chilling moment they arrived at the scene of her murder.

The 15-year-old was killed by her "jealous" ex-boyfriend, Logan MacPhail, who was incensed by her decision to end their 18-month relationship. He travelled 90 minutes from his school, 25 miles away in Gateshead, to pursue Holly as she left Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham, Northumberland. The killer followed Holly as she went shopping after school in January 2023.

The 16-year-old lured her to an alleyway before stabbing "beautiful and bright" Holly 26 times, inflicting 10 further slash wounds. One blow fatally penetrated her back, entering her chest and lung, as she screamed, alerting horrified passers by.

MacPhail was captured on CCTV, his face covered with a scarf, speaking to Holly at a bus stop just moments before he killed her. Holly had complained about MacPhail "stalking" her just hours before he stabbed her multiple times in the alleyway.

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Now, Holly's heartbroken parents, Lee and Micala, have spoken of the horrific moment they arrived at the murder scene after being informed the teenager had been seriously injured.

In a new devastating Channel 4 documentary, 'Social Media Monsters', Lee said: "I just put my foot to the floor and got there as quickly as I could. As we pulled up, I put the brake on and jumped straight out. I went down the alleyway, seeing the emergency crews working on Holly.

"When I had seen Holly, it was just sheer disbelief and dread. Coming out the alleyway, if Micala had seen it, she wouldn't be able to cope."

Mum Micala admitted she "didn't know what to do" when Lee jumped straight out of the car. "I remember Lee coming out of the alley and saying whatever happens you don't go down there. And I didn't", she revealed.

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Holly, a "much-loved, talented" schoolgirl, was pronounced dead in hospital shortly after the attack despite the best efforts of medics to save her.

The night before Holly died, MacPhail, who had learning difficulties and autism, made the journey to Holly's family home in Haltwhistle, Northumberland. MacPhail had tried to persuade Holly's sibling to let him in, however, his attempts were rebuffed.

In her harrowing victim impact statement, Micala said: "I think if he somehow managed to get into the house it could have been a whole different story - we could have been looking at maybe more than one murder."

At around 9.40pm that evening, Micala contacted police and scheduled a meeting for her and Holly to discuss MacPhail with officers the following day, after school.

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Holly - who was eager to spend time with friends - persuaded her mum to reschedule the appointment for later on. But by then, it would have been far too late.

MacPhail was named after a judge lifted reporting restrictions to protect minors, saying that it was 'in the public interest' for people to know that he was Holly's ex boyfriend.

He was found guilty of murder and wounding with intent to cause serious harm to a boy of 16, who tried to save Holly's life. He was jailed for a minimum term of 17 years.

Judge Honourable Mr Justice Hilliard said that a more mature person may have been able to handle the jealousy which he felt at the end of their relationship.

Queen Elizabeth High School described Holly as a "truly lovely student" who was "quiet, conscientious, helpful and kind".

Social Media Monsters is broadcast on Channel 4 at 10pm tonight (Monday 6 October)