Holly Newton: Domestic violence age looked at after family’s call

The home secretary has said she will “look into” the age people can be considered domestic abuse victims after a 15-year-old girl was murdered.

Holly Newton was stalked and then stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend in Hexham, Northumberland, last January.

Holly’s mother, Micala Trussler, has been campaigning for the age a person can be legally recognised as a domestic abuse victim to be lowered.

Yvette Cooper said it was an “extremely important issue” and that the government would consider the issue.

Currently the abuser and the victim must be over 16 for it to be considered a domestic abuse crime.

“We will specifically look at this, because we need to make sure that we have got the right ways of recording this kind of violence in teenage relationships,” Cooper said.

“I do think that this is an extremely important issue and we have to take seriously the points that they have made.”

Logan MacPhail was detained for at least 17 years for Holly’s murder on Friday at Newcastle Crown Court.

Her parents said no sentence will ever be enough to ease their pain.

Ms Tussler added that more needed to be done to educate people about domestic abuse.

“Children are getting into relationships much younger, they can be victims of domestic abuse,” she said.

“We need more education, not just for children but for teachers and parents.

“We talk about safe relationships but often about being abused by family members, but don’t talk about when they (children) are in a relationship and looking out for red flags.”

Holly’s step father, Lee Trussler, added: “I think if Holly had known what to look out for, the relationship would have ended a lot sooner than it did.”

He urged young people to “talk to each other” and support each other.

“Don’t be afraid to tell parents what’s going on, or an adult, your carers,” he said.

“Don’t be afraid to say what’s going on, because if you are afraid to say what’s going on, it could end up really bad.”

The family have also been raising money to install bleed boxes – to help deal with critical bleeds – in public areas.