UK - Scarlett Vickers (14) stabbed to death at home in Darlington. Parents charged with murder (5 July '24)

[Bethan]

Now we know where she was stabbed, yes we can agree it was a precise stabbing.
Prior to the information being released we couldn't say for sure imo.

It’s possible it was a VERY unfortunate accident, but I agree a lot of force was used.

Could it have been that the mother was the intended victim & Scarlett got in the way, trying to save her? I could see this as a more likely scenario, but if this was the case, why has the mother been charged with murder?

Rhetorical question really. She has been charged with murder, though the fact she has been bailed & the father has not, suggests to me, he actually delivered the fatal wound.

 

[Cinister09]

It’s possible it was a VERY unfortunate accident, but I agree a lot of force was used.

Could it have been that the mother was the intended victim & Scarlett got in the way, trying to save her? I could see this as a more likely scenario, but if this was the case, why has the mother been charged with murder?

Rhetorical question really. She has been charged with murder, though the fact she has been bailed & the father has not, suggests to me, he actually delivered the fatal wound.

This was my thought too, that Scarlett may have gotten in the middle of an argument between her parents, but as you say the murder charge brought against her mother would indicate otherwise.

Murder is a tricky charge because of the requirements which makes this all the more confusing IMO.

 

[Cardgame]

Is it possible that one parent has been perceived by LE to be 'covering up' for the other? This could result in the dual charge IMO.

 

[Dotta]

Very toxic, pathological home environment IMO.

Both parents are guilty for not providing safety for a child under their care.
Parental failure resulting in tragedy.

Who, in their right mind, uses knife trying to resolve domestic problems?


JMO

 

[Cinister09]

Is it possible that one parent has been perceived by LE to be 'covering up' for the other? This could result in the dual charge IMO.

This is a very good point.
With secondary liability, a murder charge can be brought against a second person. There are other elements they could use to charge

It could be a case of the parents blaming each other and the investigating team awaiting forensics from the item used to stab her etc.

 

[Legally Bland]

The dad of a teenage girl who allegedly died in a stabbing has denied murdering her.

Simon Vickers, 48, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to the murder of Scarlett Vickers. He also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of manslaughter.

Charges against Scarlett's mum, Sarah Hall, have been dropped. Judge Francis Laird told Ms Hall, 44, that she could leave the courtroom or stay and watch proceedings.

Dad denies murdering Scarlett Vickers as charges against mother dropped

Simon Vickers will face a trial in October

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[Dotta]

The dad of a teenage girl who allegedly died in a stabbing has denied murdering her.

Simon Vickers, 48, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to the murder of Scarlett Vickers. He also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of manslaughter.

Charges against Scarlett's mum, Sarah Hall, have been dropped. Judge Francis Laird told Ms Hall, 44, that she could leave the courtroom or stay and watch proceedings.

Dad denies murdering Scarlett Vickers as charges against mother dropped

Simon Vickers will face a trial in October

www.gazettelive.co.uk

So,
does it mean that wife is treated as a witness to murder now?

 

[ChatteringBirds]

How sad.
I wonder if he will take the stand. It says the trial is scheduled to begin in October.

 

[bobbymkii]

So,
does it mean that wife is treated as a witness to murder now?

most definitely

 

[bobbymkii]

How sad.
I wonder if he will take the stand. It says the trial is scheduled to begin in October.

That is rather soon. Most of the cases I've followed recently have set trials to start in January next year at the earliest.

 

[MadeleineMaxwell]

Given that poor mother is highly likely to be an eye witness, its probably not a complex case that needs a lot of preparation time?

 

[Parker Knoll]

8 weeks off there or thereabouts for a murder, yes that is quick.

 

[musicaljoke]

So,
does it mean that wife is treated as a witness to murder now?

Not necessarily. The charges may have been dropped if she has an alibi. or if there is convincing evidence that she wasn't present. A wife is not often brought in by the prosecution to testify against her spouse.

 

[Parker Knoll]

I would respectfully disagree with this - She will no doubt be the prosecutions star witness should this be a trial and not a GP.
She may not of been in the kitchen where it allegedly happened but she was at the house.
She may be a hostile witness granted.
JMO

 

[Dotta]

I would respectfully disagree with this - She will no doubt be the prosecutions star witness should this be a trial and not a GP.
She may not of been in the kitchen where it allegedly happened but she was at the house.
She may be a hostile witness granted.
JMO

I agree.
She was at home
as they both were arrested and charged with murder.

I even think
that both she and the poor daughter might have been victims of domestic abuse.

The wife was reported to be a housewife and the family kept to themselves.

But it is only My Opinion.

 

[nothinonyou]

how was she originally arrested for murder? and now that has been dropped. what has changed I wonder?

 

[Parker Knoll]

She wasn’t just arrested she was charged and remanded.
I can’t imagine the chain here, possibly mobile phone footage has come to light ?
I’m clutching at straws here as I’m just wildly guessing.
JMO obviously

 

[Lucy6226]

I'm wondering if the father has confessed and now the situation is clearer

 

[Dotta]

I'm wondering if the father has confessed and now the situation is clearer

He pled NOT guilty.

 

[Lucy6226]

He pled NOT guilty.

Doesn't mean he hasn't confessed whilst on remand though imo. He might have stated it was accidental or he has mental health issues and still be pleading NG. Guess we won't know until the trial why the mother has had her charges dropped. Although like yourself, I suspect domestic violence will feature heavily