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Darlington dad Simon Vickers guilty of murdering daughter

Darlington dad Simon Vickers guilty of murdering daughter

A father was found guilty of murdering his 14-year-old daughter.

Scarlett Vickers bled to death at her home in Darlington in July after suffering an 11cm-deep stab wound to the chest.

Simon Vickers, 50, admitted causing the fatal injuries while they were “goofing around”, but told Teesside Crown Court it was a “freak accident”. Prosecutors said the wound must have been inflicted intentionally.

He was found guilty of murder and will be sentenced in February.

The trial heard that Scarlett died on July 5 at her Geneva Road home after being stabbed in the kitchen.

Her parents were the only ones present and told the court her death was accidental because everyone was having fun.

Vickers said he “flicked” kitchen tongs, which must have been connected to a knife, which his partner Sarah Hall pulled out to cut the garlic bread.

The prosecution’s case rested on the conclusions of a pathologist who said it was “virtually impossible” that the wound was caused by a thrown knife and must have been inflicted by a tightly held blade in Vickers’ hand.

His lawyers said he was “morally responsible” for killing his daughter and was already serving a “life sentence” after her death, but denied he had acted illegally.

Jurors spent 13 hours and 21 minutes developing a verdict before reaching a majority agreement, with 10 finding Vickers guilty of murder.

He was remanded in custody and his sentence is scheduled for February 10.