GUILTY UK - Lucy McHugh, 13, murdered,, Southampton, 25 July 2018

[Legally Bland]

3:27pm

The court hears the purse was seized because a bank card belonging to Nicholson was seen inside it. In the statement, the officer said "cryptic notes" were also seized.

3:27pm

The jury is shown the exhibits.


LIVE: 'Lucy told to stop living in 'fantasy land' over relationship with alleged killer', court hears

 

[Legally Bland]

3:38pm

Prosecutor William Mousley QC tells the court that the prosecution had planned to call one more witness today. However, the jury hears that the witness has been unable to attend court. Therefore, the evidence for today has now finished.


3:39pm

A legal argument between the prosecution and defence will now take place. The contents of this are not reportable.


LIVE: 'Lucy told to stop living in 'fantasy land' over relationship with alleged killer', court hears

 

[Alyce]

and the discovery of a letter, supposedly written by Lucy

I wonder if there is some question over the authenticity of this letter - which seems to have been discovered at a later date than the other notes/diary entries.

 

[Legally Bland]

3:46pm

That argument is now finished and that concludes the trial for today. The trial is set to continue tomorrow.

LIVE: 'Lucy told to stop living in 'fantasy land' over relationship with alleged killer', court hears

 

[Kasmeer]

I can’t believe what I’m reading today.

Not enough people have charges against them in my opinion.

Poor Lucy.

Couldn't agree more. SW and RE didn't commit murder, but could have prevented it if they'd cared more for the welfare of their (step)daughter than the feelings of their lodger.

I guess there aren't any offences that really cover it but I keep seeing cases like this and really wish, at the very least, there should be some way to flag such parents as not allowed to have care of children ever again, when they clearly were negligently responsible for ignoring all warning signs and putting their child(ren) in situations which ended up with said child missing or dead. Charlene Downes, Amber Peat and now Lucy are just cases I've read about recently, I have no doubt there are far more out there

 

[Joolz1975]

Too many and too often.

I can't get my head around these cases where parents put their children's needs way down their list of priorities.

If school rang me to say my daughter was sleeping with an older guy who lived with us I would be horrified.

At the very least he would be homeless and reported to police but more likely I'd cave his head in.

 

[Joolz1975]

I'm going to rephrase that, she wasn't sleeping with him she was raped by him.

 

[Elainera]

and the discovery of a letter, supposedly written by Lucy

I wonder if there is some question over the authenticity of this letter - which seems to have been discovered at a later date than the other notes/diary entries.

That might have been the letter titled "Abuse" that went through a wash? Maybe the writing was too faded to say for sure who wrote it?

Terrible household. It seems the adults had their minds all made up that Lucy was just acting up and inventing things to get attention. Nobody listened to her and took her serious except her friend and teacher at school. Mom sure didn't care. So sad.

The defence is trying to cast suspicions on RE, hoping for reasonable doubt?

 

[Joolz1975]

That might have been the letter titled "Abuse" that went through a wash? Maybe the writing was too faded to say for sure who wrote it?

Terrible household. It seems the adults had their minds all made up that Lucy was just acting up and inventing things to get attention. Nobody listened to her and took her serious except her friend and teacher at school. Mom sure didn't care. So sad.

The defence is trying to cast suspicions on RE, hoping for reasonable doubt?

I think it's even worse than that, I think they knew what was happening and turned a blind eye. Probably because he was contributing to the finances and they didn't want to lose any money.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

I wonder why the Crease woman lied about the bank note to the police?

 

[SJ16321]

Couldn't agree more. SW and RE didn't commit murder, but could have prevented it if they'd cared more for the welfare of their (step)daughter than the feelings of their lodger.

I guess there aren't any offences that really cover it but I keep seeing cases like this and really wish, at the very least, there should be some way to flag such parents as not allowed to have care of children ever again, when they clearly were negligently responsible for ignoring all warning signs and putting their child(ren) in situations which ended up with said child missing or dead. Charlene Downes, Amber Peat and now Lucy are just cases I've read about recently, I have no doubt there are far more out there

I agree. I'd even say there's an argument for prosecutions, however I can imagine it would be a PR nightmare for the CPS/Police to prosecute grieving parents so I can see why they don't have the stomach for it. You could also argue that no punishment given would match losing their child which is pretty much the ultimate punishment.

 

[Joolz1975]

I agree. I'd even say there's an argument for prosecutions, however I can imagine it would be a PR nightmare for the CPS/Police to prosecute grieving parents so I can see why they don't have the stomach for it. You could also argue that no punishment given would match losing their child which is pretty much the ultimate punishment.

I understand where you are coming from but parents have a duty of care to protect their children and when they have failed so miserably at it I think they need to be punished, otherwise where is the detterent?

Personally I don't think losing a child should mean they don't have to face the consequences of neglect or whatever it may be.

 

[SJ16321]

I understand where you are coming from but parents have a duty of care to protect their children and when they have failed so miserably at it I think they need to be punished, otherwise where is the detterent?

Personally I don't think losing a child should mean they don't have to face the consequences of neglect or whatever it may be.

I agree with you to be honest, I just can't see it happening because of the backlash for the reasons I mentioned.

The McCann's are a prime obvious example, if anyone needs prosecuting for neglecting their kids then they're near the top of the list. However can you imagine the outrage in the media if anybody actually tried to prosecute them?

I'm also not doubting that Lucy was failed by those who should have been caring for and protecting her but it's also worth remembering that the defence will try and make her life sound as dysfunctional as possible and play up every detail.

 

[Joolz1975]

I agree with you to be honest, I just can't see it happening because of the backlash for the reasons I mentioned.

The McCann's are a prime obvious example, if anyone needs prosecuting for neglecting their kids then they're near the top of the list. However can you imagine the outrage in the media if anybody actually tried to prosecute them?

I'm also not doubting that Lucy was failed by those who should have been caring for and protecting her but it's also worth remembering that the defence will try and make her life sound as dysfunctional as possible and play up every detail.

100% agree with you that it won't happen, I just think it should.

The Mcanns are a difficult one I've got very conflicting views on them, can't quite get clear in my mind what I think of them.

I just feel that Lucy's parent out everyone else's needs before hers and whilst whoever harmed her is ultimately to blame her parents have to take some responsibility.

I'd have had a bit more sympathy with them if they had come out and admitted that they failed her instead I feel like they have almost impeded the investigation.

 

[Kitkat28]

Do we know how much DNA evidence there is?

 

[Alyce]

Do we know how much DNA evidence there is?

I think we have not yet heard all of this - it is usually the last Prosecution evidence to be presented

 

[Alyce]

Quick timeline -

May 2017
SN moves into REs home as lodger ( or moves back into the home would be more accurate )
SW and her 3 children also live here ( since 2016 )

May 2017 - August 2017
SN begins to abuse Lucy sexually

St Annes Catholic School speak to SW re Lucy ( year 7 )

September 2017
Lucy has now transferred to Redbridge Community School ( year 8 )
At some point during this year, the school speak to SW re Lucy.

December 2017
Due to arguments between Lucy and SN, Lucy moves out of her family home and goes to live with maternal grandmother ( DW ) for approx 6 months.

June 2018
Lucy is persuaded to return to REs home on Mansel Rd East
At this time, Lucy's friend reports SN is becoming increasingly violent towards Lucy
SW/RE advised re this but dismiss everything as fantasy

July 21/22 2018
SN moves out of REs house and goes to stay with Rowan Crease for 2 nights

July 23 2018
SN returns to REs house, has argument with Lucy.
SN told to leave by RE - or is this told to leave again ? because he had already moved out over the week end.

July 24, 2018
SN calls in sick to the care home. SW takes the call.

July 25, 2018
Lucy leaves her home circa 9am
SN movements as outlined in trial
RE at home all day, taking care of children.
7pm RE goes out for driving lesson with Rowan Crease
7.30pm Lucy expected home by this time.
8.00pm RE returns from driving lesson and SW goes out to search for Lucy
Later that evening - exact time unknown - Rowan Crease helps SW to search through Lucy's room for clues as to where she might be.

July 26, 2018
SW goes to work at care home ( exact time unknown )
SN goes back to work at care home ( after 2 days illness )
Police go to care home to advise SW that Lucy's body has been found

 

[Alyce]

10.33am
The trial is about to get under way again at Winchester Crown Court. Member of the press and barristers are in court and Stephen Nicholson has just walked into the dock.

Live updates will be brought to you by Daily Echo reporter Michael Seymour.


LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial continues today

 

[Alyce]

The jury is now in the court, and the first witness, Max Cuthbert, has been called to give evidence.

Prosecuter William Mousley QC is asking Mr Cuthbert about phone conversations with Nicholson after Lucy’s body had been found.

Mr Cuthbert said Nicholson told him he had got rid of his phone and burnt his trainers.

He added Nicholson said the last person to be seen with Lucy was a man with a beard and tattoos on a bike, and was worried it was going to make it look like it was him.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial continues today

 

[Alyce]

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