Boy, 16, appears in court charged with murdering teenage girl, 15, who was stabbed to death in attack that left another 16-year-old with injuries
A teenager who is accused of stabbing two other teenagers, killing one, has appeared in court charged with murder.
Holly Newton and a 16-year-old boy were found injured after a suspected stabbing in the Priestpopple area of Hexham, Northumberland, on January 27.
The injured teenagers were taken to hospital where the 15-year-old schoolgirl later died.
The youth accused of attacking them, who is 16 and cannot be named for legal reasons, faces charges of murder, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
He appeared at Newcastle Crown Court this morning, where he was not asked to enter a plea to the charges.
Holly Newton (pictured) was was fatally attacked in January and later died in hospital from her injuries
Holly’s white coffin was carried into the Abbey by her grieving family members
No application for bail was made. A trial is due to start on July 13 and is set to last up to ten days.
Judge Paul Sloan KC told the youth: ‘I am adjourning your case to trial. You know already that the trial is listed, has a court date, of July 13 this year.’
Judge Sloan said a further hearing will take place before the trial but a date has yet to be set.
It comes after heartbroken mourners paid tribute to the 15-year-old schoolgirl by wearing her favourite colours for her funeral on February 17.
Hundreds of people joined a procession towards Hexham Abbey to pay tribute to the ‘helpful and kind’ teenager.
Holly’s funeral order of service reads: ‘Death will be no more, I am making all things new’
Holly’s funeral was attended by friends and family dressed in purple, which was the teenager’s favourite colour
Speaking to mourners at her service, Holly’s mother Micala Trussler said of her ‘shy’ daughter who loved to perform for others: ‘Some people are just too good for this world.’
Holly’s white coffin was pulled along the high street by four black horses wearing purple jackets – her favourite colour, while the top of the coffin was also adorned with purple flowers and messages of condolence.
One read: ‘Sleep tight, beautiful Holly in the sky until we meet again. Love you forever.’
Many mourners had chosen to wear the colour purple as part of their attire and many of Holly’s classmates were in attendance.
