Simon Vickers, from Darlington, jailed for life for murdering his 14-year-old daughter, Scarlett, in their home.
The exact cause of death is unclear, and the court heard that only Vickers knows. The 50-year-old appeared in court for sentencing. Jurors decided Vickers stabbed Scarlett with a kitchen knife after a play-fight in the kitchen. He gave different accounts of what happened.
Scarlett’s dad worked at 3M Aycliffe. He has a long-term partner, Sarah Hall, who is Scarlett’s mother and supports him. On the day of Scarlett’s death, they watched soccer. Simon drank four glasses of wine and also smoked cannabis.
He told police he often drinks wine, sharing two bottles with Sarah while feeling only slightly drunk. He smoked cannabis often, about four times per week, usually while having tea.
Scarlett was in her room, playing games that night. Sarah cooked spaghetti bolognese for dinner. Later, Scarlett came downstairs and told her parents she felt bored.
Scarlett had already eaten dinner but said she felt hungry. Soon, they threw grapes at each other; it was Scarlett, Simon, and Sarah playing together.
Vickers said they threw grapes around, leaving many on the floor. He wanted to let the dog inside and asked them to pick up the grapes. Sarah started picking them up, and Scarlett threw a few more grapes. He then started tickling her.
Sarah playfully pinched Simon’s butt with tongs, and he reacted in pain. Scarlett called him a wimp. Vickers said they were just playing and that she had said worse before.
He told the court about Scarlett’s nice, long hair. He started waving her hair around. She pushed him when he tried to touch it, pushing him near the tongs. He swiped at her, and the tongs then hit a hot plate, causing them to fly off.
At some point, Scarlett got a fatal knife wound, and she collapsed right away. An ambulance came immediately, but paramedics pronounced her dead. The judge said Vickers held the knife before, during, and after the stabbing and that Scarlett died from a chest wound.
The judge believes Vickers drank more alcohol but could not confirm alcohol caused the murder. Vickers gave an unbelievable story, and the judge said his daughter deserved the truth, which Vickers did not provide.
The judge said the knife was picked up quickly, and a major factor was Scarlett’s age; she was a child in her own home. In 1993, Vickers slashed someone’s face with a Stanley knife and got two years. He also had a minor theft crime from 1999, but the court did not consider these due to their age.
Scarlett’s mother, Sarah Hall, still believes in him. The lawyer said she doesn’t think he meant to harm her. No one in the family thinks of him as a murderer.
The lawyer said it was not planned and that the event happened fast. They said they tried to save her life and called emergency services quickly. The lawyer added that Vickers feels remorse.
Vickers was jailed for life and must serve at least fifteen years.