A teenager on trial for the murder of a 15-year-old girl in a knife attack claims he cannot recall stabbing her or the boy who tried to help, a jury learned. Holly Newton sustained 36 knife injuries in the incident in Hexham, Northumberland, in January last year. Despite being rushed to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, she could not be saved. A 16-year-old boy who intervened also required surgery for injuries to his shoulder, arm, and thigh.
The funeral of 15 year old Holly Newton is taking place in Hexham Abbey despite strong winds from Storm Otto. Holly was fatally stabbed last month. pic.twitter.com/lRCvQNurMs
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During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday, the 17-year-old defendant testified via video link. He remembered getting off a bus on the day of the attack but did not recall the stabbings. The teenager has admitted to manslaughter but denies murder, claiming he had no intention to cause serious harm.
Defence KC Nigel Edwards questioned the defendant, who was 16 when Holly was killed. When asked who had stabbed Holly and the other teen, the defendant, dressed in a suit jacket, shirt, and tie, responded, “Me.” He explained that he had gone to Hexham 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.” He stated his intent was to end his own life, citing “horrible stuff” happening in his head, including past abuse from family members.
The prosecution contends the boy followed Holly, whom he knew, for 45 minutes before the attack. The court heard that Holly had finished school and was with friends, walking around shops. At around 4.45 pm, Holly and the injured teenager went to a pizza shop. The defendant waited outside by a bus stop and asked to speak with her. Within a minute, he inflicted 36 knife wounds, including 12 stabs, 19 slashes, and five defensive injuries.
The youth also denies causing wounding with intent on the boy and an alternative charge of wounding.