Child Killer Simon Vickers, 50, provided varying narratives on the events leading up to his stabbing of his daughter Scarlett in the chest with an 11cm kitchen knife at their residence in Darlington. A father has been convicted of murdering his 14-year-old daughter by stabbing her in the heart after a play-fighting incident in the kitchen.
Simon Vickers, 50, provided varying narratives on the events leading up to his stabbing of his daughter Scarlett in the chest with an 11cm kitchen knife at their residence in Darlington last July.
Scarlett’s mother, Sarah Hall, was the sole one present in the room and supported her spouse of 27 years, asserting to Teesside Crown Court that Vickers cherished their only child and would never inflict damage against her.
A jury deliberated for 13 hours and 21 minutes before convicting him of murder by a 10-2 majority, instead of opting for the lesser charge of manslaughter or acquitting him.
Ms. Hall and other family members appeared astonished in the public gallery upon the announcement of the decision.
Vickers exhibited no observable reaction in the dock.
Mark McKone KC, the prosecutor, informed the jurors before that Scarlett’s death was not accidental.
Dr. Jennifer Bolton, a pathologist from the Home Office, elucidated to the jury that the manner in which the knife penetrated Scarlett’s chest indicated it was wielded by a hand with considerable force.
In his concluding address, Mr. McKone remarked that the prosecution acknowledged Vickers’ profound devastation and affection for his daughter.
However, the injury could not have resulted from it being inadvertently brushed against a work surface and penetrating thus far into her body.
Prior to the jury’s deliberation on their verdicts, Mr. McKone stated: “Should you conclude that Mr. Vickers has fabricated details regarding Scarlett’s demise, it must be due to a significant matter he seeks to conceal.”
This implies that he lacks a credible narrative that he deems innocent for your consideration.
The used kitchen knife
The knife employed to deliver the lethal wound to 14-year-old Scarlett Vickers on July 5 of the previous year (CPS via PA)
“In other words, Mr. Vickers lacks a plausible justification for injuring Scarlett while the knife was in his possession.”
Nicholas Lumley KC, representing the defence, said the jurors that Vickers harboured no intention to hurt his daughter, and the prosecution failed to present any motivation.
He stated that Vickers “will bear moral responsibility for his daughter’s demise for the remainder of his life.”
Mr. Lumley stated, “However, he entirely refutes any allegations of unlawful or intentional actions that led to that tragic death.”
Vickers had consumed wine, observed the Euros football competition on television, and smoked cannabis that day.
Ms. Hall was preparing spaghetti bolognese for the family, and when Scarlett descended from her bedroom, they engaged in a playful exchange of grapes.
The mother stated that she subsequently pinched her partner with tongs, and when he expressed discomfort, their daughter remarked that he was “wimpy.”
Ms. Hall stated that she averted her gaze to serve the dinner and subsequently heard Scarlett exclaim “ow,” at which point the mother quickly observed that their sole kid was profusely bleeding.
Ms. Hall placed a 999 call and informed the operator that they had been “messing about” and that her spouse had thrown an object at their daughter “without realising it.”
Vickers informed paramedic Andrew Crow that his daughter had rushed at him during a round of play-fighting, as presented in court.
During his opening statement to the jury, Mr. McKone asserted: “Mr. Crow indicated that initially, the defendant and Scarlett’s mother expressed uncertainty regarding the origin of the injury, after which Scarlett’s mother claimed that Scarlett and her father were engaged in play-fighting and ‘throwing’ knives at one another.”
Mr. Crow stated that the defendant retrieved a knife from the kitchen side counter and remarked, “We were engaging in playful antics, and she lunged at me, resulting in the knife entering her.”
Scarlett perished at the location.
In his defence, Vickers asserted that it was a “freak accident.”
He asserted that he had inadvertently taken what he believed to be tongs from a work area and struck her chest, unaware that it was a knife.
Mr. Justice Cotter expressed gratitude to the jury and announced that he will impose a sentence on Vickers on February 10.
The Crown Prosecution Service stated that Simon Vickers’ account of his daughter’s death was “entirely inconsistent” with the evidence.
After the conviction, Anna Barker, senior crown prosecutor of CPS North East, stated: “Simon Vickers’ account of how his daughter, Scarlett, incurred a fatal injury is entirely inconsistent with the forensic evidence in this case.”
The Crown Prosecution Service engaged a medical expert whose examination indicated that the wound sustained by Scarlett could only have been inflicted if the knife was held firmly during the injury.
“We have collaborated closely with Durham Police to thoroughly reconstruct the tragic circumstances that resulted in Scarlett’s death. Our sympathies are with her family, for whom this must be a challenging moment.
Detective Superintendent Craig Rudd of Durham Police stated, “Scarlett Vickers would have commemorated her 16th birthday this year.”
“She possessed her entire future before her.”
“However, it was mercilessly terminated by her own father – an individual who was supposed to safeguard her.”
“The reasons behind Simon Vickers’ actions that night may remain unknown.”
“Regrettably, today’s verdict will not restore Scarlett, but he will now confront the repercussions of his actions.”
“I extend my gratitude to my investigative team for their relentless dedication to achieving justice for Scarlett, and to the community for their cooperation and understanding during our inquiries.”
“Our condolences are with those who cherished Scarlett.”
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