Simon Vickers is jailed for murdering his fourteen-year-old daughter during a play-fight. Her mother maintains his innocence.
The exact details of Scarlett’s death may never be known. Her father was supposed to protect her. Instead, she died at his hands. The dad said they were “play-fighting.” Then, she suffered a fatal knife wound, 11cm deep near her heart.
Sarah Hall was making spaghetti. She says Simon would never hurt Scarlett, as they were together for 27 years. Sarah believes it was a tragic accident. A jury, however, did not believe Simon’s story, which changed during the trial.
He claims it was a “freak accident” at their home, which happened last July in County Durham. He said he threw a knife, but he didn’t mean to. He only realized his mistake when Scarlett bled and called himself unlucky.
The judge, Mr. Justice Cotter, spoke at the sentencing. He said Scarlett had her whole life ahead of her, adding that it was cut tragically short. He said a happy Friday turned into a tragedy and thinks Vickers lost his temper.
The judge stated that no other reason exists, noting that Vickers never gave a truthful explanation. Vickers admitted to drinking wine and smoking cannabis. However, he said he did not mean to hurt Scarlett.
Sarah stood by him and testified that their family was happy. She said Vickers loved Scarlett very much, calling him a “hands-on dad.” Sarah said she had no concerns about Vickers’ care.
The prosecution asked Sarah if she thought he murdered Scarlett and if she’d still be with him. She said, “Definitely not.” Scarlett was her number one; she was Sarah’s best friend, her girl.
Sarah recalled that Scarlett came downstairs around 10 pm. They talked about upcoming holidays and were having a fun and lighthearted conversation. The family played a grape-catching game together.
Then, Sarah teased Vickers with kitchen tongs. Scarlett jokingly told him not to be a wimp. Sarah then started to dish out the pasta and was still aware that they were playing around nearby.
Sarah noticed something was wrong all of a sudden and asked Scarlett, “What’s up?” Then she saw blood coming from Scarlett’s side. Sarah did not confront Vickers because it didn’t cross her mind that he’d hurt her.
Sarah doesn’t know how it happened, but she emphasizes she knows he wouldn’t harm her, so she didn’t even consider it. Vickers said Scarlett was proud of her long hair. He said he started to playfully waft it around.
Scarlett pushed him toward the tongs, and he put his hand on them. He swiped the tongs across the counter. They hit the hot plate, and that’s why they flew off.
Vickers wanted to pick up the tongs and playfully chase Scarlett. He said the tongs unexpectedly launched from his hand. Then Scarlett cried out, “Ow, ow, ow,” which was a moment of horror for everyone.
Scarlett wore pink pajamas. Blood started coming out of it, lots of blood. Vickers said Scarlett was just lying there and staring. Then she started gasping for breath and stopped breathing, her eyes looked like dolls’ eyes.
When police arrived, he said it was an accident; he accidentally flung the knife at Scarlett. An expert said the wound suggested the knife was held.
Vickers later changed his story. He said Scarlett brushed against the knife and claimed the knife could have stuck out. Prosecutors said he deliberately stabbed Scarlett, making a deep wound.
A pathologist testified that the knife could not have been thrown. She said the knife was held tightly and plunged into Scarlett’s heart.
The jury learned Vickers once slashed a man’s face with a Stanley knife back when he was younger. In 1993, he was convicted for wounding and served two years.
The judge noted the conviction was thirty years ago. He said there was no evidence to suggest otherwise; they seemed like a normal, loving family. But the judge told Vickers only he knew what happened.
He also added Vickers had never accepted what happened, though he accepted his actions caused her death. His daughter deserved the truth, but he didn’t provide it.
He said Scarlett should have been safe at home. The judge wasn’t sure alcohol played a factor but thinks it was a flash of anger.
Detective Superintendent Craig Rudd spoke outside of court, stating we may never know what happened. But there is no excuse for Vickers’ actions, and Scarlett would be alive if he hadn’t picked up the knife. Rudd said the case was heartbreaking for everyone, and their thoughts are with Scarlett’s loved ones.