Adolescence 'an important watch', says murdered Holly Newton's mum
The mother of murdered schoolgirl Holly Newton has backed a move to show the TV series Adolescence in schools.Holly, 15, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend Logan MacPhail, who stabbed her to death in a frenzied attack in Northumberland in January 2023 after she ended the relationship.This week the creators of Adolescence Prime Minister Kier Starmer and announced they would make the TV show, which examines the murder of a teenage girl by a teenage boy and explores themes of misogyny, available for free to schools.Speaking about the programme for the first time, Holly's mother Micala Trussler said "it was such a difficult watch but it's an important one at the same time".
MacPhail stalked Holly for almost an hour after she left school on the afternoon of 27 January 2023, before attacking her in an alley next to a pizza shop.MacPhail, who was 16 at the time, had been "filled with resentment" after she ended their relationship, his trial heard.Mrs Trussler said "red flags" about his controlling behaviour were not recognised until it was too late and she had not realised the "emotional turmoil" Holly was being put through when trying to break up with MacPhail.
Starmer had told the makers of Netflix drama Adolescence that it was "really hard to watch" with his teenage children, as he hosted a Downing Street meeting to discuss the influence of toxic material online.Created by writer Jack Thorne and actor Stephen Graham, Adolescence tells the tale of a 13-year-old boy (played by Owen Cooper), who is charged with the killing of a female classmate.
Mrs Trussler said she had "cried all the way through" the four-part drama.She added: "I think it's so important that we don't just look at the victims, but we look at perpetrators as well and what might be causing them to act like this, to act in such violent ways."I think they really got it down to a tee - basically it can happen to anybody."They were just a normal family, but it's the influences they've got not only online but also at home... it's such an important series."
Holly's family have created the charity Holly's Hope, which aims to educate young people about healthy relationships. They have also called for Holly's Law, which would see the age someone can be classed as a victim of domestic abuse lowered to under 16. Mr and Mrs Trussler believe this would help young people access the support they need.The Trusslers were among around 100 guests at Clarence House on Tuesday afternoon, where the Queen cut a birthday cake to mark the 21st anniversary of domestic abuse prevention charity SafeLives.
The Trusslers said the Queen offered her support to the couple.Mrs Trussler said: "She's very interested in our campaign and she's sorry for our loss, and that we shouldn't have to be here doing this.Mr Trussler said: "We feel like it's good because it's getting heard in the highest place in the country essentially."
Additional reporting by PA Media.
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