Mum of murdered Aycliffe teenager ‘attacked at his graveside’ on Halloween

Zoey McGill says she was kicked on the floor and thought she was going to be killed in the same way her son was.

Jack was brutally stabbed during a gang attack leaving Houghton Feast in October 2021.

The 18-year-old was stabbed in the back with a Rambo-style knife by 15-year-old Calum Maddison during a savage beating with nine other boys aged 14 to 17.

All ten were charged with murder under controversial joint enterprise law and were deemed to be equally responsible.

Jack Woodley. (Image: Contributor) Zoey said: “I was approached by about ten people – some adults, some kids – and two of them started it.

“I asked them to leave me alone and to get away from my son’s resting place as they were shouting swearing and being aggressive towards me.

“It was a very hostile incident I was in my dressing gown too so it was quite degrading.

(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“I feel anxious now as the cemetery does not have much lighting and I’m not sure on CCTV either. I just want to be able to sit with my boy – it kills me leaving him on his own at night.”

She suffered muscle damage and bruising to the head, neck and torso, and spent Friday (November 1) in hospital, although her injuries are not thought to be serious.

Zoey McGill. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) The grieving mum previously told how she visited her son’s grave at West Cemetery in School Aycliffe every night to be close to her son. In the summer she gave birth to baby boy Ralph, whose middle name is Jack in memory of his older brother.

She says she was taking jack-o’-lanterns to his graveside, carved by his brothers, when the alleged attack happened.

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A Durham Constabulary spokesperson said: “Police are investigating an assault which took place at West Cemetery, in School Aycliffe, last Thursday evening (October 31). A woman is believed to have been assaulted by a number of people while visiting the cemetery.

“Thankfully, she is not believed to have suffered any serious injuries. An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing.”

The family raised £7k to get a Tyson Fury-inspired headstone at Jack’s grave, with the outspoken heavyweight champion the teenager’s idol. Jack would now be 21.