Mother of Teenager Killed by Father Calls for His Release

The mother of a teenage girl who was fatally stabbed by her father is advocating for his release from prison, despite his conviction for murder.

Scarlett Vickers, 14, died after an incident her mother, Sarah Hall, described as a “play-fight” with her father, Simon Vickers, last July. Scarlett suffered a stab wound to the heart, leading to fatal bleeding.

Simon Vickers was found guilty of murder after refusing to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. In February, he received a life sentence with a minimum of 15 years in jail.

Sarah Hall has consistently supported her husband, even testifying on his behalf during his ten-day trial. She maintains her stance, asserting that Vickers would never intentionally harm their daughter.

Eight months after her daughter’s death, Ms. Hall has spoken to the BBC, calling for Vickers’ release and describing his conviction as “absurd.”

Ms. Hall recounted the night of the incident at their Darlington home, stating that everything seemed normal. She and her husband were watching football in the living room, while Scarlett was in her room chatting with friends. Both Ms. Hall and Vickers had consumed wine, and Vickers had also used cannabis, which Ms. Hall said was for back pain related to his factory job.

Later that night, around 10 p.m., the family gathered in the kitchen as Ms. Hall prepared a late dinner for herself and her husband. The situation took a tragic turn when what Ms Hall describes as a fun fight escalated.

Ms. Hall and Scarlett had been playfully throwing grapes into each other’s mouths. Vickers joined in, “mucking about” with their daughter, while Ms Hall was draining pasta at the sink. The events that followed remain unclear to Ms. Hall, but she insists they were not the result of a crime.

During the “play fight,” Ms. Hall had nipped her husband with kitchen tongs, leading to her and Scarlett “jokingly” calling him a wimp. Vickers responded by swiping the tongs across the kitchen counter, saying, “how would you like it?”.

A knife was near the tongs, and Ms Hall believes the tongs made contact with the blade before being forced outwards against a granite chopping board. As a result, the blade was left protruding from the counter, and Ms Hall claims Scarlett ran towards her father to take the tongs from him but instead ran into the blade.

This account contrasts with the evidence used to convict Vickers of murder. Pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton testified that the injury could only have been caused by the knife being held firmly in Vickers’ hand, describing his defense as “practically impossible”.

There were also inconsistencies in Vickers’ statements. He initially said he threw the knife, mistaking it for a spatula, but later told paramedics and police that his daughter had “lunged” at him.

The blade penetrated Scarlett’s chest, going four inches deep, hitting her heart, and causing catastrophic bleeding.

At the sentencing, Mr Justice Cotter of Teeside Crown Court called Vickers’ defense of a “freak accident” “unconvincing and wholly implausible”. However, Ms Hall described these remarks as “absurd,” insisting that her husband had “never had a flash of anger”.

The heartbroken mother also dismissed recent social media speculation that Vickers had been controlling and abusive, stating, “He was understanding and comforting. (Our relationship) was very supportive, never controlling”.

Ms. Hall added, “How can I blame him for an accident when I know he’s in as much pain as I am?”.

Despite Ms Hall’s appeals, Vickers’ case is set to be reviewed by the Court of Appeal after Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC stated her belief that the verdict was too lenient.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office confirmed to the BBC: “I can confirm the Solicitor General has referred Simon Vickers’ sentence to the Court of Appeal as she agrees that it appears unduly lenient. It is now for the court to decide whether to increase the sentence”.