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A teenager has been found guilty of murdering a 15-year-old girl in the street after following her for 45 minutes.

Holly Newton was left with 36 knife injuries after an attack in the Priestpopple area of Hexham, Northumberland, in January last year.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, admitted a charge of manslaughter but denied murder claiming his mind went blank that day and he had only intended to take his own life.

A 16-year-old boy who was with Holly at the time of the attack tried to help her and was also stabbed.

Holly Newton. Pic: PA
Image:
Holly Newton. Pic: PA

The 17-year-old, who was also found guilty of wounding with intent at Newcastle Crown Court, claimed he could not remember stabbing Holly, or the boy who came to her aid.

Holly was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, after the attack but could not be saved.

The 16-year-old boy, who was also taken to hospital, suffered injuries to his shoulder, arm, and thigh which needed surgery.

The knife appeared to have snapped in the attack. Pic: Northumbria Police
The knife appeared to have snapped in the attack. Pic: Northumbria Police
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The knife appeared to have snapped in the attack. Pics: Northumbria Police

Holly’s mother had been so concerned that day that she contacted police about the defendant, who was known to her daughter. It was agreed Holly should not leave school if the youth was outside, jurors were told.

For around 45 minutes, he followed Holly around the town centre as she visited shops with friends before attacking her.

Holly had told a friend just hours before the stabbing that the youth was “basically stalking her”, jurors heard.

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The funeral cortege for Holly Newton leaves Hexham Abbey in February last year. Pic: PA
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The funeral cortege for Holly Newton leaves Hexham Abbey in February last year. Pic: PA

When Holly and the 16-year-old boy she was with went into a pizza shop, the defendant waited outside at a bus stop, where he asked to speak to her, then lured her down an alleyway and attacked her with a knife he was carrying.

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In just 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.

He also narrowly avoided killing the teenage boy who had been with Holly and who tried to step in to save her.

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‘Holly’s future was taken away from her’

The defendant, who has mental health issues and was watching proceedings from a secure unit via videolink, did not visibly react when the foreman gave guilty verdicts for the counts of murder and wounding with intent.

He will be sentenced during a two-day hearing at the same court on 31 October.

In an unusual step, the judge Mr Justice Hilliard invited Holly’s mother, Micala Trussler, to pay tribute to her daughter before the jury dispersed.

Mother’s tribute to ‘beautiful child’ who loved family, sport, animals and dancing

“Holly was a beautiful child. As my firstborn she was a clingy child and never left my side, we did everything together.

“She grew into a funny and happy teenager who would do anything for anyone.

“Looking back at the funny times with Holly makes me smile, she used to call an elbow an elly-bow and one minute would be an avid vegetarian then the next minute tucking into a McDonald’s burger laughing.

“There was nothing that Holly couldn’t do, she loved all types of sport and would give anything a go at least once.

“From a young age she fell in love with dancing, it gave her the opportunity to express herself and helped her self-confidence enormously, it genuinely made her feel fearless.

“Holly’s favourite place in the world was Alton Towers, she loved to go on the biggest roller coasters and thrived on the adrenaline rush and overcoming her fears while the rest of us were terrified, which she thought was hilarious.

“At school Holly was a quiet student who just got on with her work, there was never a bad report from her teachers.

“When Holly started at the Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham, she felt like she belonged, she had such a small tight-knit group of friends who were always there for each other.

“Holly was passionate about her family; she hated upsetting people and would do anything to make people smile.

“She loved animals, her cat Maxi every morning would go to her bedroom door and meow until Holly got up to let him onto her bed.

“To this day Maxi still does this, however Holly isn’t there to open the door.”

Speaking outside the court, Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison of Northumbria Police said: “Holly was a very popular girl and is sorely missed by many.

“Our thoughts very much continue to be with her loved ones and friends following this devastating loss.

“I also want to pay tribute to the bravery of the boy who was attacked while coming to the aid of his friend.

“I would like to thank both families for their incredible strength and patience throughout this seven-week trial and we will continue to support them in any way we can.”

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Man arrested on suspicion of murder as three children and a woman die in house fire

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Man arrested on suspicion of murder as three children and a woman die in house fire

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three children and a woman died in a house fire in Brent, northwest London.

Metropolitan Police officers are investigating after being called to assist firefighters in Stonebridge, near Wembley, shortly after 1.20am.

A 43-year-old woman and three children, a 15-year-old girl, an eight-year-old boy and a four-year-old boy, died at the scene, the force said. Their next of kin have been informed.

Police are waiting for an update on the conditions of two others who were taken to hospital.

A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident and remains in custody.

Two terraced houses in Tillett Close, Stonebridge, were involved in the fire. Pic: PA
Two terraced houses in Tillett Close, Stonebridge, were involved in the fire. Pic: PA
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Pics: PA

Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters responded to the blaze, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.

Two terrace houses, each with three floors, were severely damaged in the fire, which was under control by around 3.25am, the fire service added.

Firefighters rescued the woman and one of the children from the second floor of the house, but they were declared dead by air ambulance crews.

The two other children were found inside the property and were also declared dead at the scene, LFB said.

Emergency services on the scene. Pic: PA
Emergency services on the scene. Pic: PA
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Emergency services at the scene. Pics: PA

LFB assistant commissioner Keeley Foster said: “Upon arrival, firefighters were met with a well-developed fire, involving two adjoining properties. Crews immediately set to work carrying out firefighting operations in order to bring the incident under control.

“Sadly, a woman and three children have died as a result of this fire.

“Crews wearing breathing apparatus were able to rescue the woman and one of the children from the second floor, but they were later declared deceased at the scene.

“A further two children were discovered to have died in the fire, as crews carried out a search of the properties involved.”

She added: “This is an extremely tragic incident, and the thoughts of everyone across the brigade are with those impacted by this incident.”

Two terraced houses in Tillett Close, Stonebridge, were involved in the fire. Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

London Ambulance Service said an air ambulance, incident response officers, advanced paramedic and hazardous area response team were deployed to the scene.

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Superintendent Steve Allen, from the Met’s local policing team in northwest London, said: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved.

“Officers arrested a man at the scene and we continue to work alongside investigators from the London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire.

“Emergency services will remain in Tillett Close throughout the day as these enquiries take place.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said in a post on X: “This is devastating news and my thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community of the four people who sadly have lost their lives.

“I remain in close contact with the London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police as they work to establish the cause of the fire and offer support to all those impacted.”

Dawn Butler, the local Labour MP for Brent East, posted: “Devastated to see the fatal fire at homes in Tillett Close last night.

“My prayers are with the family and friends affected by this is a very sad tragedy.

“@LFB_Brent worked hard to get it under control, thank you.”

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Southport attack victim’s teachers ‘don’t want her to be forgotten’

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Southport attack victim's teachers 'don't want her to be forgotten'

The teacher of one of the Southport stabbing victims has told Sky News they “don’t want her to be forgotten”, 10 months after the knife attack in which she was murdered.

Seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe was killed along with Bebe King, six, and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar in an attack by Axel Rudakubana at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class last July.

Jennifer Sephton, headteacher of Farnborough Road Infant School, will be skydiving to raise funds for the Elsie’s Story charitable trust, which has been set up in memory of the former pupil.

Alice da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King were murdered in an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed class.
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(L-R) Alice da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Bebe King were killed in an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed class


“She’d been with us for four years, throughout her education,” Ms Sephton told Sky News, “and we just want everybody to know Elsie’s spirit.”

Describing Elsie as “such a determined young lady,” Ms Sephton said Elsie had “a real zest for life, and a sparkle in her eye all the time.”

She added that Elsie’s Story, which has been set up by Elsie’s family, is about “continuing that legacy.”

Jennifer Sephton
Image:
Jennifer Sephton

In the aftermath of the July 2024 attack, the gates outside Elsie’s school were lined with flowers, balloons, and cards bearing her name.

Since then, memorial benches and a tree have been planted in the school grounds, providing pupils and staff with a place to “remember and reflect”, Ms Sefton says.

“[Elsie’s death] had such an impact on all our community,” the teacher said, “it’s had an impact on her friends, their siblings, our school as a community and our staff.”

Read more:
Southport survivor wants end to use of traditional kitchen knives

Adrian Antell
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Adrian Antell

‘We want her name to live on’

Ms Sephton will be joined in the skydive by Adrian Antell, headteacher at the adjoining junior school where Elsie had been due to start.

“Elsie was due to come to us last September,” he told Sky News, “but what we’ve learned about her is that she had a wonderful impact in the infant school, and we don’t want her to be forgotten.

“We want her name to have to live on and to be thought of in a positive way.”

Mr Antell said they continue to support Elsie’s classmates, who joined the new school without her.

“There’s no instruction manual for this,” he explained, “every day is different, and every day is one step at a time.

“So all we can do as a school is to think about individual children and support them in the best way we can.”

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Scientists embark on crucial study to save Britain’s bees

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Scientists embark on crucial study to save Britain's bees

Scientists from Kew Gardens are using a new study to track which trees bees prefer to try to stem the decline in our vital pollinators.

Bee populations are falling all over the world due to a mixture of habitat loss, climate change, and the use of pesticides, with a devastating impact on our biodiversity and food production.

But it’s feared that not enough comprehensive, global research is being done to understand the issue or find solutions.

Pollination Research Lead, Dr Janine Griffiths-Lee told Sky News “Nearly 90% of our flowering plants depend on the contribution of pollinators, but in the UK the population of flying insects in the last 20 years has decreased by around 60%. 
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The study is building up heat maps of the most popular trees


 

Now, scientists based at Wakehurst in Sussex (Kew’s “Wild Botanic Garden”) have begun placing advanced bioacoustics sensors in some of their trees, to track which ones the bees are more drawn to.
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Non-invasive monitors track the buzz created by bees’ wing beats

UK becoming a no-fly zone

Researchers based at Wakehurst in Sussex, known as Kew’s “Wild Botanic Garden”, have begun placing advanced bio-acoustics sensors in some of their trees to track which ones bees favour.

They hope it’ll help urban planners know which trees to plant in built-up areas, as a way of combating the worrying decline in bee numbers.

Pollination research lead Dr Janine Griffiths-Lee said: “Nearly 90% of our flowering plants depend on the contribution of pollinators, but in the UK the population of flying insects in the last 20 years has decreased by around 60%.

“It’s really hard to be able to put a figure on the decline of our pollinators, but we do know that globally the number is declining.

“And with that comes crop yield instability and the loss of an essential ecosystem service.”

Their new, non-invasive monitors listen for the buzz created by bees’ wing beats, building up heat maps of the most popular spots.

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bees
kew gardens
Kew scientists are using a ‘brand new’ study to track which trees bees prefer - to try and stem the decline in our vital pollinators.
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Bio-acoustics sensors are placed in trees to track which ones the bees are more drawn to

‘We’re facing twin crises’

Dr Griffiths-Lee said: “If you think about the tree’s footprint, it’s very small, but they’re huge 3D structures covered in pollen and nectar, which are essential resources of pollinators.

“So we really wanted to think about which are the best trees for bees for us to plant, and that can inform landscape planners, urban architects.”

Eight different species of tree were chosen for the study, including horse chestnut and lime trees, with a mixture of native and non-native species.

The scientists have also been gathering DNA from pollen, which also helps them to map which plants and flowers the insects prefer.

Wakehurst’s director, Susan Raikes, calls the 535-acre estate a “living laboratory”, and said the project’s all about searching for nature-based solutions to the impacts of climate change.

“The stakes couldn’t be higher, really. We know that we’re facing these twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change,” she added.

“We need to be able to understand, as the climate changes, which plants from warmer climes will be good here in the UK for pollinators in the future.

“If all of our native plants are struggling, then we need to find new sources of pollen – for us all to survive.”

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