Scarlett Vickers was stabbed at her home in Darlington. Photo / Supplied
A 14-year-old girl was stabbed to death at home after a confrontation with her parents, a court has heard.
Scarlett Vickers suffered a single stab wound to the chest in the incident at a semi-detached house in Darlington, County Durham, on Friday evening.
Her parents, Simon Vickers, 49, who works for the 3M manufacturing plant in Newton Aycliffe, and Sarah Hall, 44, who is unemployed, appeared in court on Monday morning charged with her murder.
Prosecutor Sarah Kemp told the Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court the fatal stabbing had followed an incident at the family home.
Lawyer Georgia Snowden, representing the victim’s mother, told the court her client disputed the facts of the prosecution case and was “absolutely distraught”.
Police and paramedics were called to Geneva Rd, Darlington, shortly after 11pm, but Scarlett was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both defendants were dressed in grey police-issue sweatshirts and trousers, and Hall shook throughout the five-minute hearing.
Kemp told the court: “There was an incident at the home address in Darlington resulting in the fatal stabbing of Scarlett, the 14-year-old daughter of both defendants.
“She suffered a single knife wound to the chest resulting in her death. This is not a matter that can be dealt with here and I ask the case be sent to the Crown court.”
Steven Hudd, the district judge, told Vickers and Hall: “The offence of murder is one which can only be heard at Crown court. I am sending your case to Teesside Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on August 5.”
He said if either defendant wished to make a bail application, there would be an opportunity to do so on Wednesday — but they were remanded in custody until then.
Detective Superintendent Craig Rudd, the senior investigating officer, said: “This incident has resulted in the tragic death of a young girl, and our thoughts are with her family and friends.
“I would like to thank the local community for their patience and co-operation while investigative work is still being carried out at the scene, and to reassure residents that we believe this to be an isolated incident.”
Neighbours spoke of their “utter shock” following the death of the teenager.
Floral tributes were placed outside the house, some by teenage girls who were school friends of Scarlett’s.
One message read: “To Scarlett. Rest easy sweet girl, we all love and miss you. Sleep well from Demi and Lexi.”
A neighbour said: “It’s hard to take in. Simon has a good job and his partner comes across as very pleasant as well, she would always smile and say hello.
“It’s hard to imagine what could have happened for things to go as wrong as this. The first anyone knew was when the police cars and ambulance arrived.”
Another neighbour said: “I spoke with Sarah earlier that day, we were talking about shopping. I used to see their daughter playing in the garden, they’ve always seemed like a pleasant family. It’s such a shock that a young girl’s life has been lost in that way.
“It’s incredibly sad and I think most of us who live nearby are struggling to get it out of our heads. It’s been an utter shock.”
In a tribute posted to its website, Haughton Academy in Darlington said Scarlett was a “lovely girl and important member” of the school community.
“She was always immaculately turned out, respectful and polite.
“A very friendly girl with a great sense of humour, she was popular with her friends and will be greatly missed by everyone at school.
“Staff and pupils at Haughton Academy and the Education Village Academy Trust are extremely saddened by the news and we would like to pass on our thoughts to everyone affected by this tragedy.”