Teenager accused of murdering 15-year-old Holly Newton claims he cannot remember stabbing her, jury hears

August 01, 2024

A teenager accused of murdering a 15-year-old girl in a knife attack said he cannot remember stabbing her or a boy who came to her aid, a jury has heard.

Holly Newton suffered 36 knife injuries in the attack in the Priestpopple area of Hexham, Northumberland, in January last year.

She was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle but could not be saved. A 16-year-old boy, who was also taken to hospital, suffered injuries to his shoulder, arm and thigh which needed surgery.

Giving evidence via video-link at the trial at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, the 17-year-old defendant told jurors he could recall getting off a bus on the day of the attack, but did not remember the stabbings.

The teenager has admitted manslaughter but denies murder on the grounds he did not intend to cause serious harm.

Questioning the boy, who was 16 when Holly was killed, defence KC Nigel Edwards asked him who had stabbed Holly and the other teen.

The defendant, wearing a suit jacket, shirt and tie, answered "me" to both questions and went on to claim that he had travelled to Hexham intending to take his own life.

Mr Edwards asked: "The night that Holly died, when you go to Hexham, what is it you want to do?"

The defendant replied: "It wasn't for going there to hurt her or kill her, it wasn't for that."

Asked what his intentions were that day, he added: "To try and take my own life."

He claimed that "horrible stuff" had been happening inside his head, having been hit by family members with a belt, slipper and shoes during his childhood.

The prosecution allege the boy followed Holly, who he knew, for 45 minutes around the town centre before he stabbed her.

The court has heard she had finished school and was walking around shops with friends.

Holly and the teenager who was injured went to a pizza shop at around 4.45pm and the defendant waited at a bus stop outside, where he asked to speak to her.

In over a minute, the defendant inflicted 36 knife wounds on Holly, stabbing her 12 times, slashing her 19 times and causing five "defensive" injuries, jurors heard.

The youth further denies causing wounding with intent on the boy and an alternative charge of wounding.

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