Simon Vickers is jailed for life after fatally stabbing his daughter during a kitchen play fight. The court found him guilty of murder.
Vickers gave three different stories about that day, which involved him plunging a knife 11cm into Scarlett’s chest. Her mother, Sarah Hall, stood by him, stating that Vickers loved Scarlett.
The jury deliberated for over 13 hours before convicting Vickers of murder by a 10-2 vote, resulting in a minimum sentence of 15 years. Prosecutors concede that the motive may never be known.
Christopher Atkinson, speaking for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Vickers’ story did not match the evidence. Experts testified that the knife was firmly gripped, causing Scarlett’s injuries.
The prosecution argued that Scarlett’s death was no accident, a sentiment echoed by pathologist Dr. Jennifer Bolton. She stated that the knife’s angle implied force and that it was held in a hand, not swept accidentally.
Despite knowing Vickers loved Scarlett, the prosecution maintained that the deep wound could not have been accidental. They argued that the father lied because he had something to hide and lacked an innocent explanation.
Nicholas Lumley, the defense attorney, addressed the court, stating that Vickers takes responsibility for his daughter’s death. However, he denied any unlawful action, noting that Vickers watched soccer and used cannabis that day.
Sarah Hall recounted fixing spaghetti bolognese while Scarlett threw grapes with her parents in the kitchen. The couple snipped at each other with tongs for fun, and Scarlett even called her dad “wimpy.”
Hall recalled turning to serve food when Scarlett said “ow,” and she then saw that Scarlett was bleeding severely. She called 999, saying they were “messing about” and that Vickers threw something without realizing what it was.
Vickers told paramedics that Scarlett lunged at him during play-fighting, he claimed. Sadly, Scarlett died at the scene.
Vickers insisted it was a terrible accident, claiming he swiped what he thought were tongs at Scarlett and that he never knew it was a knife.