The applied for the reporting restriction, which was put in place because MacPhail was under 18, to be lifted.
Mr Justice Hilliard said MacPhail had been convicted of “grave crimes” which were of local and national concern” but the “key factor” of the killer’s relationship with Holly could not be reported during the trial “lest it might identify him”.
The judge said it was “impossible to have a full and proper understanding of the case and of why the defendant behaved as he did without knowing this factor”.
He said there was “great public concern” about young people carrying knives and “violence to women and girls” and legitimate debate was aided by the public knowing the “full detail of the offences”.
A two-day sentencing hearing is due to begin on 31 October.
