Northumberland Council support community after death of Holly Newton

It comes as the other 16-year-old boy injured in the Hexham incident last week has been discharged from hospital.

A vigil is to be held in Hexham tomorrow night to commemorate 15-year-old Holly Newton.

Holly, who was from Haltwhistle, died after being stabbed to death in an incident in Hexham town center on Friday January 27.

Holly’s mom has appealed to people to pay tribute to Holly by bringing purple lights to the vigil and not releasing balloons as she was an animal lover and didn’t want to harm wildlife.

A teenager was also seriously injured in the incident. He has since been released from the hospital.

Another 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a knife and is currently in juvenile detention after appearing at Newcastle Crown Court this week.

Now Northumberland County Council has said it supports staff and students at Queen Elizabeth High School.

Northumberland County Council has announced it will support staff and students at Queen Elizabeth High School following the murder of 15-year-old student Holly Newton.

Holly suffered fatal injuries and died in hospital after an incident on Priestpopple in Hexham on Friday night.

A teenager was also seriously injured in the incident. A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder, attempted murder and possession of a knife and is currently in juvenile custody after appearing at Newcastle Crown Court this week.

At Thursday’s meeting of the Family and Children’s Ministries Review and Audit Committee, Vice Chairman Richard Dodd urged members not to comment on the case.

Coun Dodd said: “I would like to start today’s meeting by reflecting on the tragic events that took place in Hexham last Friday night. As you all know, a teenage girl, a 15-year-old student at Queen Elizabeth High School – Holly Newton – suffered fatal injuries in an incident in the city center, while a teenager also suffered serious injuries.

“A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder and attempted murder. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that this incident came as a complete shock to our community and our thoughts are with the families and friends of all those affected.

“From the outset the Council has worked closely with Northumbria Police and other organizations to provide all assistance possible. We have wellbeing support in place for both staff and students at Queen Elizabeth High School. This aid will remain in place for the foreseeable future to ensure that both the school’s staff and students are supported during this troubling time.

“Over the coming days, weeks and months, we will continue to provide all the help we can to families, friends, schools and the wider community. Our help won’t stop when the story disappears from the headlines.

“Finally, I would like to remind you that this is all an active and ongoing police investigation and we must respect this process and not speculate. On this point, I would ask that there be no further comments or discussion on this case during the meeting.”

Northumbria Police had previously asked that the public not speculate about the case on social media.

Coun Dodd also read from a tribute by Holly’s family, which described her as a “bright and vivacious girl”.

He said: “Earlier this week, Holly’s family issued a statement through police paying tribute to her and I would like to read an extract.

“Holly was such a bright and spirited girl who cared so passionately for her family and many friends. She was a well-loved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece and cousin.

“Holly has always been a popular girl, loved by so many people – not just in Hexham – but across the North East.

“Holly also loved dancing and was so talented – and she spent a lot of her free time teaching and competing around the country.

“She had her whole life ahead of her and we still have to come to terms with the fact that our beautiful and loving girl is no longer with us.”

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