Schoolgirl’s boyfriend fought to save her when she was fatally stabbed in street

Holly Newton’s mum said she had been ‘so excited about her new relationship’.

Holly Newton’s new boyfriend desperately tried to save her when she was stabbed to death outside a takeaway shop.

The 15-year-old died in hospital hours after she was attacked after school in Hexham.

Her devastated mum has praised the boy, 16, she had just started dating for attempting to rescue her ‘baby girl’. 

Micala Trussler, 33, said her daughter had been ‘so excited about her new relationship’.

‘I can never thank him enough for trying to save my baby girl’, she reportedly said.

The boyfriend was also taken to hospital with stab wounds and is said to be recovering after an operation following the violent incident on Friday.

Another 16-year-old boy is set to appear in court charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

A note left by Holly’s mum and step-dad at the scene reads: ‘To our baby Holly. Our hearts hurt so much right now. We love you so much. Love mam and Lee. See you soon beautiful.’

Both victims had both stumbled into Pizza Pizza in the Priestpopple area, where shocked workers rushed to help them.

One staff member said: ‘You don’t expect this sort of thing in Hexham. I tried to help but unfortunately I failed.’

Holly, from the market town of Haltwhistle, was a keen dancer and year 10 pupil at Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School.

Staff at the school say they are ‘in shock after the terrible events of Friday evening’.

‘We are devastated at the loss of Holly, a truly lovely student who was quiet, conscientious, helpful and kind’, they said.

A candle-lighting service has been held at Hexham Abbey for people to pay tribute to the teenage girl.

Mayor Derek Kennedy said everyone in the town, which was named the happiest place to live in Great Britain last year in a study by Rightmove, had been ‘knocked everyone for six’.

‘A young girl who’s just starting life and attending the local high school, starting her education and getting out there, it’s just terrible, as a town we pay tribute to her’, he said.

‘It’s going to have a big impact on all the schoolchildren when they go back on Monday because one of their own won’t be coming back ever again.’

Northumbria Police say an investigation is ongoing, with officers remaining in the area for the next few days.

The force said: ‘Holly still had so much left to look forward to in life, and this tragic incident has left her family devastated beyond words.

‘Our thoughts are with both families involved and their loved ones as we continue to support them in every way we can.’

The 16-year-old suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will appear before Newcastle Upon Tyne Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

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