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Boy, 16, ‘stabbed 15-year-old girl to death on her way home from school’

A 16-year-old boy followed a schoolgirl for 45 minutes around a town center before stabbing her to death in an alleyway, a court has heard.

Holly Newton, 15, was walking home from school when the teenager inflicted 36 knife wounds in the attack in Hexham, Northumberland, it is claimed.

Jurors at Newcastle Crown Court heard another teenage boy put the attacker in a headlock but was also stabbed.

Passersby then intervened by pulling the boy off Holly and restraining him before he was arrested at the scene by police, the court was told.

David Brooke KC, prosecuting, said Holly was taken to hospital but could not be saved.

‘Careful not to be seen’

He told the court that the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was “careful not to be seen” as he followed his victim to a pizza shop.

The defendant, now aged 17, admitted manslaughter but pleaded not guilty to murder.

He also denies wounding with intent and the illegal wounding of another boy and admits an offense of illegal possession of a bladed article, it was heard.

Mr Brooke said Holly left school with her friend and walked into Hexham on Jan 27 last year, where they met up with a boy and went to various shops including Tesco.

The defendant had been to school that day and told his teacher at lunchtime that he was very tired and wanted to go home.

He was allowed to leave and did so at 1.30pm. However, instead of going home, I caught a bus to the Metrocentre and then another bus to Hexham, arriving at 3pm.

He then walked a short way to Sele Park. Meanwhile, Holly and her friends had also walked towards the park and then into town.

CCTV evidence

Mr Brooke said: “There is CCTV evidence from the town centre. It shows that shortly before 4pm the defendant was following them at a distance. He was careful not to be seen by them for the next 45 minutes or so.

“At about 4.45pm, (Holly’s female friend) left but Holly and (the boy) continued to walk together. The defendant continued to follow them.

“Holly and (the boy) went to a pizza shop in town where they ordered some food. There is a bus stop just outside the shop. The defendant hid for a bit further up the road, but then walked down to where Holly was waiting outside the pizza shop.”

It is alleged the defendant attacked Holly with a knife in an alley at around 5pm.

Mr Brooke said: “The CCTV does not show the events in the alley itself but when we watch it, you will be able to see the boy’s reaction to what was happening. The boy says that he heard Holly’s screams from the alley.

“The boy ran into the alley. He says he did not at first fully understand what was happening but he could see that the defendant was attacking Holly. Holly was on the ground.

“The boy pulled him off in a headlock. The boy was then attacked himself by the defendant and received stab injuries.

“The boy ran to help the pizza shop. Passers-by and people from the shop also went to stop the defendant. He was pulled off her Holly while still stabbing her. The knife blade had broken.”

An ambulance was called and Holly was taken to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary. Despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival.

The trial continues.