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

[Dotta]

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

I think the wife started talking.

JMO

 

[Dotta]

"Vickers, 50, of Geneva Road, Darlington,
had earlier pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and manslaughter.

He was due to go on trial in October
but the date has now been moved to January next year
to ensure that a High Court Judge is available to hear the case."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1829785085459202466

 

[Dotta]

"Scarlett Vickers: ​

Darlington father bail application refused.​

Darlington father awaiting trial for the murder of his daughter
has failed in his plea for bail
when a judge refused his application."

Darlington father accused of murdering Scarlett Vickers refused bail

A Darlington father awaiting trial for the murder of his daughter, Scarlett, has failed in his plea for bail when a judge refused his application.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

 

[Parker Knoll]

Ridiculous he even bothered.

 

[Luwin]

Darlington dad killed daughter in play-fight stabbing, court told

Simon Vickers denies murdering his 14-year-old daughter Scarlett and says they were "mucking about".

www.bbc.co.uk

A father fatally stabbed his 14-year-old daughter during a play-fight in their kitchen, a court has heard.
Scarlett Vickers suffered a 4in (11cm)-deep wound to her chest and "bled to death" at her family home in Darlington in July, Teesside Crown Court was told.
Her parents Simon Vickers and Sarah Hall told police the family were "mucking about" as they normally did and throwing food and utensils at each other while making dinner in the kitchen.

 

[Dotta]

Darlington dad killed daughter in play-fight stabbing, court told

Simon Vickers denies murdering his 14-year-old daughter Scarlett and says they were "mucking about".

www.bbc.co.uk

A father fatally stabbed his 14-year-old daughter during a play-fight in their kitchen, a court has heard.
Scarlett Vickers suffered a 4in (11cm)-deep wound to her chest and "bled to death" at her family home in Darlington in July, Teesside Crown Court was told.
Her parents Simon Vickers and Sarah Hall told police the family were "mucking about" as they normally did and throwing food and utensils at each other while making dinner in the kitchen.

Ummm....
Really???
What a strange defence tactic

Shaking my head

 

[wtiger]

that's not a defence tactic!

it's the kind of thing a legal aid solicitor might throw up to a totally knackered client who refuses to plead guilty

 

[Luwin]

Be interesting to see if the Mum gives evidence

 

[tlcya]

Ms Hall said she had got a kitchen knife out to cut garlic bread and Mr Vickers had inadvertently grabbed it while reaching for a spatula to throw, the court heard.
[snip]
He said he thought he had picked up tongs and thrown them over his shoulder "almost blindly", the court heard, but "obviously" it was actually the knife.
Darlington dad killed daughter in play-fight stabbing, court told

I've heard some strange defenses in my time. This is right up there with the strangest. He meant to grab a spatula that then magically became tongs which in reality was a knife all along, which was thrown blindly over his shoulder, resulting in a single well placed stab wound to the chest of his teen daughter. How very unfortunate. It boggles the mind doesn't it? [note: sarcasm alert]

 

[Dotta]

Ms Hall said she had got a kitchen knife out to cut garlic bread and Mr Vickers had inadvertently grabbed it while reaching for a spatula to throw, the court heard.
[snip]
He said he thought he had picked up tongs and thrown them over his shoulder "almost blindly", the court heard, but "obviously" it was actually the knife.
Darlington dad killed daughter in play-fight stabbing, court told

I've heard some strange defenses in my time. This is right up there with the strangest. He meant to grab a spatula that then magically became tongs which in reality was a knife all along, which was thrown blindly over his shoulder, resulting in a single well placed stab wound to the chest of his teen daughter. How very unfortunate. It boggles the mind doesn't it? [note: sarcasm alert]

This is outrageous.
It is like laughing into the victim's face.
I'm honestly lost for words.

JMO

 

[Luwin]

Live update link

Murderer jailed for 15 years after 'flash of anger' stabbing led to teen's death

Simon Vickers, 50, of Geneva Road, Darlington, was found guilty of the murder of his daughter, Scarlett

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[dalsglen]

That's not even a laughable defence.

 

[Sarahlou]

Darlington dad killed daughter in play-fight stabbing, court told

Simon Vickers denies murdering his 14-year-old daughter Scarlett and says they were "mucking about".

www.bbc.co.uk

A father fatally stabbed his 14-year-old daughter during a play-fight in their kitchen, a court has heard.
Scarlett Vickers suffered a 4in (11cm)-deep wound to her chest and "bled to death" at her family home in Darlington in July, Teesside Crown Court was told.
Her parents Simon Vickers and Sarah Hall told police the family were "mucking about" as they normally did and throwing food and utensils at each other while making dinner in the kitchen.

Never in a million years could I have imagined they'd try using this as a defense.

 

[Alyce]

Be interesting to see if the Mum gives evidence

Mr McKone ( Prosecution ) said there were "no prosecution eyewitnesses to the killing" and
Ms Hall was not being called to give evidence

Darlington dad killed daughter in play-fight stabbing, court told

Simon Vickers denies murdering his 14-year-old daughter Scarlett and says they were "mucking about".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Luwin]

Mr McKone ( Prosecution ) said there were "no prosecution eyewitnesses to the killing" and
Ms Hall was not being called to give evidence

Darlington dad killed daughter in play-fight stabbing, court told

Simon Vickers denies murdering his 14-year-old daughter Scarlett and says they were "mucking about".

www.bbc.co.uk

Wow - that has stumped me!

 

[tlcya]

Was it the family's normal practice to be mucking about in the kitchen making tea and fixing food at 11pm at night while tossing utensils at one another? First the parents said Scarlett lunged herself into the knife as her father held it then that he tossed it blindly over his shoulder only for it to land in her chest? Those are two very different versions of events.

I wonder why the prosecution has opted not to call Ms. Hall to testify? Are they worried she would be a hostile witness that might not be helpful in making their case?

 

[ChatteringBirds]

It's possible for an accident to lead to a stabbing, but I just don't know about this case. It feels very off.

I wonder if the Halls were acting the way you would if an accident happened to your child when LE/paramedics arrived (both desperately trying to save her)?

 

[Bethan]

I’m sure the pathologist will have something to say about the amount of force needed for the knife to have gone through the chest wall & pierced the heart of this poor child.

A knife, thrown in the manner described by the accused is unlikely to have done more than pierce the clothing & possibly cause a superficial wound.

 

[Dotta]

Those are two very different versions of events.

I wonder why the prosecution has opted not to call Ms. Hall to testify? Are they worried she would be a hostile witness that might not be helpful in making their case?

3 versions!

"The prosecution say the defendant gave at least three different accounts before his interview.​

Mr McKone said:

'The prosecution say the defendant gave three different accounts, at least, before his formal police interview.
Mainly
number one; he had been throwing a knife,
number two; he had been throwing other items,
and number three; Scarlett lunging towards the knife."

Murderer jailed for 15 years after 'flash of anger' stabbing led to teen's death

Simon Vickers, 50, of Geneva Road, Darlington, was found guilty of the murder of his daughter, Scarlett

www.gazettelive.co.uk

 

[Luwin]

From piecing together bits from the above articles - in MOO I think the parents had been drinking leading to the late night meal, Scarlett had thrown the grapes at her father and he reacted badly and was threatening her with the knife, and probably misjudged how near he was. (100% not defending him). On the other hand he could be a horrible nasty bully that regularly gestured with knives if he wasn't hsppy. There are usually some truths sprinkled in amongst what is said. Again MOO