A father in England has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering his 14-year-old daughter during what he claimed was a "play-fight" in their kitchen.
Simon Vickers, 50, will serve at least 15 years for the fatal stabbing of Scarlett Vickers at their home in Darlington, County Durham, on July 5, 2024.
Vickers denied both murder and manslaughter and offered conflicting accounts of what transpired that night. He initially told authorities he might have accidentally thrown the knife, but later suggested it was a freak accident.
Scarlett's fatal wound, an 11cm stab to the heart, could only have been inflicted with significant force, forensic experts determined
"Scarlett was just 14, a normal, healthy girl with a long life ahead of her when it was cut short by you," said Mr. Justice Cotter during sentencing, per The Guardian. "It went from an ordinary, happy family Friday night to tragedy within seconds due to what must have been your loss of temper."
The prosecution argued that while no clear motive was established, Vickers may have been irritated by his daughter's behavior. The court heard that he had been drinking red wine and had smoked weed before the incident.
Scarlett's mother, Sarah Hall, was also in the house during the incident but insisted Vickers would never intentionally harm their child. Emergency crews found Scarlett on the kitchen floor with Hall desperately trying to save her.
A jury at Teesside Crown Court found Vickers guilty of murder by a 10-2 majority after 13 hours of deliberation.
"We may never know precisely what happened in that kitchen, but we can be certain there is no justification for what Simon Vickers did," said Det. Supt. Craig Rudd of Durham Police. "Had he not picked up that knife, Scarlett would still be alive today."
Despite the guilty verdict, Vickers has continued to maintain his innocence.
"Your beloved daughter deserved the truth and you have not given it," the judge said.
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