The family of the dad jailed for life for murdering his daughter are trying 'crime scene reconstruction' in a bid to strenghten his appeal against conviction. Simon Vickers was said to have struck the killer knife blow in a fit of anger at Scarlett Vickers, 14, after she called him a 'wimp'. The 50-year-old factory worker must serve a minimum of 15 years after stabbing his only child in the heart, causing fatal injuries.
He had given various versions of how it happened, including 'throwing' the blade at her accidentally in a 'play fight' in the kitchen of their home in Darlington, Co Durham last July. Scarlett's mum Sarah Hall, his parents Barrie and Pat and their families are standing by him. Sarah's sister Rebecca Hall revealed that she had been trying to understand what happened in the lead up to Scarlett's death and reconstructing the incident at her own home. "I have been doing it in the kitchen and looking at how the knife could have moved," she said.
"If it was quick when Scarlett was going towards the knife as Simon swiped it and the tongs then it is possible that could have caused the injury. I have looked at the biology of it too and the tissue where the knife went in is very, very soft. There could have been enough force to go into the heart.". Rebecca, 42, a mum-of-two, added: "Scarlett could have been in a position where she was standing over the knife. If Simon had his hand on the knife on the chopping board then I think could have gone forward and leant into it. He is uncertain himself how it happened but he remembered getting the tongs and I think that he has put his hand down on the knife and swiped it along the kitchen surface.
"If she darted towards it to grab it, that is how it could have happened. If she had her head down and leant forward, it is possible the knife would have gone into her ribs. They were messing around, there was no aggression. She did not say anything like 'dad has a knife' or 'he is going to hurt me'. Surely she would have said something beforehand?". A jury found Vickers guilty of murder after an expert said it was 'practically impossible' to cause the fatal injury in the way which he claimed. Teesside crown court heard Scarlett's mum Sarah Hall had pinched Vickers on the bottom with kitchen tongs moments before the fatal blow was struck.
He reacted by saying 'ow' and Scarlett told him: 'Dad, don't be a wimp'. Sarah turned away and when she turned back, she found her daughter with blood pouring from the knife wound to the heart. Judge Mr Justice Cotter was satisfied that Vickers had acted in a 'devastating' moment of anger and was intent on causing serious harm even if he did not intend to kill. Judge Mr Justice Cotter said Sarah turned her back and heard Simon say 'how would you like it?' after Scarlett called him a wimp. Sentencing him to life in prison on Monday, he told Vickers: "Exactly what then happened, only you know. Scarlett said Ow Ow and Sarah Hall turned to see her injured.
"There was no knife in her because, I am satisfied, you had taken it out, as part of the stabbing motion. It would not have been possible for Sarah Hall to have missed it unless it was already back on the kitchen surface where you placed it and it was later noted to be when the paramedics arrived. Sarah wept in the public gallery, comforted by Simon's mum Pat, as Scarlett's injuries were outlined. Mark McKone KC, prosecuting, said that Vickers had a previous conviction from 1993 when he was 19 for wounding with intent with a Stanley knife.
He was sentenced to two years in jail and also had a conviction for minor dishonesty in 1999. But the judge ruled that the convictions were too long ago to be taken into account in his sentence for murder. Nicholas Lumley KC, for Vickers, said that he and Scarlett’s mum’s Sarah Hall were serving life sentences 'from which they will never be freed' due to their loss. “Simon Vickers has always accepted that his actions brought about the death of his only child," he added. “Sarah Hall has remained resolute in her belief that the father of her only child did not intend to intend to cause any harm and his parents are of the same view. None of them can believe he is to be known as Scarlett’s murderer.”.
Neighbours at the family home said Sarah had not been seen there for some time. "It is a tragedy," said one. "As a street, we are trying to move on, but it is terrible for Scarlett's parents and their families." Speaking after Vickers was sentenced, Det Supt Craig Rudd, who led the investigation for Durham Constabulary, said: “Had he not picked up that knife, Scarlett would still be alive today. This has been an incredibly heartbreaking case for everyone involved. Our thoughts remain with those who cared about Scarlett.” Christopher Atkinson of the CPS said it was 'difficult to understand' what motivated Simon Vickers to take the life of his daughter.
"In the absence of a plausible explanation on his part, we may never fully understand what led to her tragic death," he added. “What is abundantly clear is that the account provided by Simon Vickers was wholly inconsistent with the forensic evidence in this case. Crucially, the medical expert we instructed to examine Scarlett’s injuries made it clear that they could only have been caused had the knife been firmly gripped as it made contact. We appreciate that the nature of this case will have been incredibly emotive for Scarlett’s family, and our thoughts are with them at what must remain a very difficult time.”.
