STAB 'MURDER'
Boy, 16, charged with murder after Holly Newton, 15, ‘stabbed to death in horror attack’ & teen hurt
A BOY has been charged with murder after a 15-year-old girl was fatally stabbed.
Holly Newton was knifed shortly after leaving school on Friday in Hexham, Northumberland.
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A 16-year-old boy was also stabbed during the horror attack and remains in a stable condition.
Another boy, aged 16, was arrested on suspicion of assault and later on suspicion of murder.
He has since been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is scheduled to appear before magistrates in Newcastle on Monday.
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Chief Superintendent Sam Rennison, Area Commander for Northumberland and North Tyneside, of Northumbria Police, said: “Holly still had so much left to look forward to in life, and this tragic incident has left her family devastated beyond words.
“Their grief simply cannot be put into words, and our thoughts are with both families involved and their loved ones as we continue to support them in every way we can.
“The investigation is ongoing, and I’d like to show my appreciation to the people of Hexham – and beyond – who have greatly assisted with our enquiries and shown their support.
“While our enquiries continue, we do believe all those involved are known to each other and there is no wider risk to the public.
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She added: “Officers will remain in the area over the coming days, and we would encourage anyone with concerns to speak directly with them.
“With a teenage boy now charged in connection with this incident, I would ask that everyone continues to avoid any speculation – both out in the community and on social media – that could jeopardise the live legal proceedings.
“I would also remind people that the person who has been charged is under the age of 18, is legally entitled to anonymity and must not be named or identified.”
It comes after friends and family paid tribute to young Holly yesterday.
Derek Kennedy, mayor of Hexham, said: "It's an absolute tragedy, the town is in complete shock, to lose one of our children who attends a local high school is just horrendous.
"Parents are really anxious for the health of their children because they're all a part of this community, the schools are all really anxious that their children are really feeling the pain and suffering and shock of such an awful incident.
"In the Hexham community we have a very low crime rate, generally, it's a community that looks after one another, we were awarded the happiest place to live in Great Britain last year.
"It's a very warm and loving community so for a tragedy such as this to happen, we always find it much more difficult and it's knocked everyone for six.
"To happen to such a young person and the alleged perpetrator to be a young person, in the high street at 5pm, is just shocking, everyone is just shocked and struggling to come to terms with it, it will ruin so many lives."
A to raise money in Holly's memory has been set up.
It names her only as Holly Olivia.
The page reads: "As many of you are aware, sadly Holly lost her life yesterday to knife crime.
"We are trying to raise as much funds as possible to help to take the stress away from the family at this sad time.
"Holly was a beautiful 15-year-old that loved dancing and will be sadly missed."
On Sunday morning, the £3,000 goal had been met.
Do you know more? Email [email protected], call 020 7782 4100, or Whatsapp 07423 720 250
Emotional tributes to the girl were left at the scene.
Flowers and messages were placed on the ground near the site of the suspected attack.
One mourner wrote: "All our love to the most beautiful girl in the world. We will miss you forever Holly."
Another heartbreaking card read: "Lots of love Holly. The best big sister in the world."
Meanwhile, a third devastated loved one said: "To our baby Holly. Our hearts hurt so much right now. We love you so much."
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Other tributes included one which said the young girl was "taken too soon".
Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of their website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20230127-0795.
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