A teenager has been found guilty of stabbing 15-year-old Holly Newton in January of last year.
The 17-year-old boy, who can’t be named, admitted manslaughter but denied murder, saying ‘his mind went blank’ when it happened.
He will be sentenced during a two-day hearing at the same court on October 31.
Holly suffered 36 injuries in the attack in an alley in Hexham, Northumberland, in January 2023, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Her mother had been so concerned that day that she contacted police about the then 16-year-old boy, who was known to her daughter, and it was agreed that Holly should not leave school if the youth was outside, jurors were told.
The prosecution claimed the defendant, who cannot be identified due to his age, followed Holly around the town centre for about 45 minutes as she visited shops with friends after the group had finished school for the day.
Holly had told a friend just hours before he stabbed her that the youth was ‘basically stalking her’, jurors heard.
The boy asked to speak to her after he saw her outside a pizza shop, then attacked her with a knife he was carrying.
The boy Holly had just begun dating, 16, was also admitted to hospital after ‘desperately trying to save her’. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries as the teen stabbed him until he was stopped by other people.
Giving evidence by video link, the boy told jurors he could not remember stabbing the girl but recalled getting a bus to Hexham and some parts of walking around the town.
Her devasted family paid tribute to her after she died, saying: ‘Holly was always a popular girl, who was loved by so many people – not just in Hexham – but all over the North East.
‘Holly also loved dancing and was so talented – and a big part of her spare time was spent at classes and taking part in competitions up and down the country.
‘She had her whole life ahead of her and we are still coming to terms with the fact that our beautiful and loving girl is no longer with us.
‘Rest in peace to our baby girl – we love you so much and our lives will never be the same without you here.
‘You touched so many hearts and you will be missed beyond words by all of your family and loved ones.’
Her funeral, held in February 2023, saw mourners wear purple to honour Holly and her favourite colour.
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