The key facts

  • The UK government told Holly Newton's family of plans to introduce a separate definition of violence in teenage relationships
  • The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 does not recognise anyone under 16 as a victim, so Holly's killing was classified as a knife crime
  • The timing of the proposals and the outcome of the law review in the House of Lords have not yet been announced

Meeting at the Home Office

Holly Newton's parents, Micala and Lee Trussler, met at the UK Home Office on Monday, 3 November 2026, with the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Seema Malhotra's counterpart Satvir Kaur, where they were shown the outlines of plans for a new law. According to BBC News, the government intends to create a separate legal definition of violence in teenage relationships — exactly what the family had been campaigning for since their daughter's death.

Why a new law was needed

Holly Newton was 15 when, in January 2023, her ex-boyfriend Logan MacPhail, aged 16, stabbed her in an alley in Hexham. He could not accept the end of the relationship, controlled the girl and stalked her before the murder. Police recorded the killing as a 'knife crime' because the law does not recognise anyone under 16 as a victim of domestic abuse. Lee Trussler explained that without such a classification, teenagers 'cannot get the help and guidance they need to leave a relationship safely.' In 2024, MacPhail was sentenced to detention for at least 17 years for the 'vicious and brutal' killing.

A separate definition instead of lowering the age

The family believes that a separate definition of violence in teenage relationships is even more effective than simply lowering the age threshold for victims of domestic abuse. Micala Trussler noted that such an approach gives teenagers better protection and acknowledges that teenage relationships can differ markedly from adult ones. The impetus for developing the new definition was a review of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which a House of Lords committee began in January: among other things, it examined the definition of domestic abuse and the recognition of children as victims. Hexham MP Joe Morris, who accompanied the family to the meeting, called it a 'major victory' for the campaign and a step towards adopting 'Holly's Law.' However, the government has not disclosed either the timing of the proposals or the date of publication of the full review of the law — for now it is a plan, not an adopted decision.

Black-and-white picture of Holly. She is sitting with her back against a wall and is smiling at the camera.Image source, Family handout
Image caption,

Holly Newton was 15 when she was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend Logan MacPhail

Micaela and Lee Trussler stood side by side in the glow of a late-afternoon winter sunset in London. Micaela is a woman with short, blonde hair. Lee is a man with short, black hair. Behind them, we can see the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben.Image source, BBC/Alison Freeman
Image caption,

Holly's parents Micala and Lee Trussler have spent years campaigning for the law to recognise under-16s as victims of domestic violence

Holly Newton wearing army camouflage and a beret gives a double thumbs up to the camera. Behind her is a white wall with lots of pictures on it.Image source, Family handout
Image caption,

Holly was in the army cadets where her stepdad was an instructor

A mugshot of Logan MacPhail, a teenager with dark hair.Image source, Northumbria Police
Image caption,

Logan MacPhail was detained for at least 17 years for carrying out the 'vicious and brutal' stabbing

Holly takes a selfie with her mother. Holly has long brown hair and Micala has blond hair, both are looking at the camera smiling.Black and white picture of Holly. She has long dark hair.Holly Newton, who has long windswept brown hair, sits in a park drinking from a silver-coloured can of Diet Coke while looking at the camera.A black and white photo of Holly Newton wearing a T-shirt and smiling at the camera