A man has been found guilty of murdering his 14-year-old daughter after stabbing her in the heart during what he claimed was a 'play-fight' at their home in Darlington, County Durham. Simon Vickers, 50, inflicted an 11cm stab wound to Scarlett's chest with a kitchen knife while preparing dinner last summer.
The prosecution argued that the injury could not have been accidental, as pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton stated the knife must have been held and inserted with force. Vickers had consumed four glasses of wine and smoked cannabis while watching the Euros before the incident. Scarlett's mother, Sarah Hall, who was present, initially told emergency services they had been 'messing about'.
During the trial at Teesside Crown Court, prosecutor Mark McKone KC said Vickers had lied about how Scarlett was killed, suggesting he lacked an innocent explanation. The defence claimed Vickers loved his daughter and had no motive, but the jury found him guilty of murder.
Scarlett, a year nine pupil at Haughton Academy, was described by her school as 'immaculately turned out, respectful and polite' with a great sense of humour. Friends released balloons in her memory at a local park.
