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A man has been found guilty of murdering his daughter after fatally stabbing her in the heart during what he described as a ‘play-fight’ in their dwelling.
Simon Vickers, aged 50, fatally attacked Scarlett while preparing dinner in their kitchen in Darlington, County Durham last summer.
The young girl lost her life due to an 11cm stab wound to her chest caused by a kitchen knife after engaging in some playful banter with her father.
Scarlett’s mother, Sarah Hall, was the only other individual present in the room during the incident.
She defended her partner of 27 years, asserting to Teesside Crown Court that he cherished their only child and would never cause her harm.
However, Mark McKone KC, representing the prosecution, had previously informed jurors that the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death were far from accidental.
A pathologist from the Home Office, Dr. Jennifer Bolton, elaborated to the jury that the manner in which the knife penetrated Scarlett’s chest indicated it had been wielded with intention and force.
Mr. McKone acknowledged that the prosecution recognized Vickers’ emotional devastation and his love for his daughter.
Nevertheless, Mr. McKone emphasized that the injury could not have resulted from an incidental swipe across a countertop to create such a deep wound.
As the jury was dismissed for deliberations, Mr. McKone remarked: ‘If you conclude that Vickers has fabricated details regarding Scarlett’s demise, it must be to conceal something significant.
‘This implies that he lacks an innocent rationale for the injury inflicted on Scarlett while the knife was in his possession.’
Tributes to stabbing victim Scarlett Vickers
Scarlett perished in her residence in Darlington, having suffered a single stab from a knife that penetrated her chest.
The 14-year-old was a cherished year nine student at Haughton Academy in the area.
In honor of her passing, her classmates organized a memorial at a local park, where they released balloons as a tribute.
A friend named Charley expressed, ‘She was always kind to everyone, she was sweet and didn’t deserve what occurred.’
‘Essentially, Vickers lacks a credible explanation for injuring Scarlett while holding the knife.’
Prior to the incident, Vickers had consumed four glasses of wine and smoked cannabis while viewing the Euros football tournament.
Meanwhile, Ms. Hall was preparing spaghetti bolognese for the family and, when Scarlett descended from her bedroom, they began tossing grapes at one another playfully.
The mother recounted that she then playfully poked at her partner with tongs, and when he protested that it was painful, their daughter jested about him being ‘weak’.
Ms. Hall indicated that she turned away to plate the meal and shortly thereafter heard Scarlett exclaim ‘ow’. Within moments, blood began to flow from her chest.
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Her mother dialed 999 and informed the operator that they had been ‘fooling around’ and that her partner had thrown an object at their daughter ‘and he wasn’t aware’.
The victim was declared deceased at the scene.
Nicholas Lumley KC, representing the defense, conveyed to the jury that Vickers had no intent to harm his daughter – and the prosecution did not present any motive.
He stated that Vickers ‘will carry moral accountability for his daughter’s death throughout his lifetime’.
Mr. Lumley further remarked: ‘He completely denies that he performed any unlawful or intentional act to bring about that tragic demise.’
It took the jury 13 hours and 21 minutes to convict him of murder with a 10-2 majority, rather than opting for the lesser charge of manslaughter, or acquitting him.
Ms. Hall and other family members appeared astonished in the public gallery as the verdict was announced.
Mr. Justice Cotter expressed gratitude toward the jury and mentioned he will pass sentence on Vickers on February 10.
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