Simon Vickers: Dad who claimed teen daughter’s death was ‘freak accident’ jailed for at least 15 years
A father has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 15 years for murdering his 14-year-old daughter.
Simon Vickers was found guilty last month of killing his daughter Scarlett Vickers after stabbing her in the heart at their home in Darlington, County Durham, in July 2024.
The 50-year-old, who denied charges of manslaughter and murder, gave different accounts of what happened in the seconds before he plunged a kitchen knife 11cm into her chest.
As it happened: Simon Vickers sentencing
Simon Vickers. Pic: Durham Constabulary
Scarlett’s mother, Sarah Hall, was the only other person in the room, and stood by her partner, previously telling Teesside Crown Court that Vickers would never have harmed her.
During sentencing, Nicholas Lumley KC, defending, said: “Sarah Hall remains resolute in her belief that the father of her only child did not intend Scarlett any harm and his parents are of the same view.”
Ms Hall did not see the knife sticking in her daughter, Mr Justice Cotter said, because Vickers immediately removed it and put it on the side in the kitchen.
The jury, by a majority of 10-2, convicted him of murder after 13 hours of deliberations, rather than the less serious alternative of manslaughter, or to clear him.
Ms Hall and other family members in the public gallery looked stunned when the verdict was delivered.
Vickers himself did not react in the dock.
His sentence is the lowest minimum term the judge can pass down for a murder verdict.
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Killer dad told police: ‘We were mucking about’
During the trial, Vickers insisted his daughter’s death had been a “freak accident”.
He claimed he had swiped what he thought were tongs along a work surface, into her chest, and never realised it was a knife.
The judge described his version of events as “unconvincing and wholly implausible”.
Prosecutor Mark McKone KC had told jurors that Scarlett’s death was not an accident.
Home Office pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton explained to the jury that how the knife went into Scarlett’s chest meant it must have been held in a hand, with force.
Smoked cannabis and drank wine
During the sentencing, Mr Justice Cotter said Vickers had “smoked cannabis and drank some wine” after work.
Ms Hall was cooking spaghetti bolognese when Scarlett came down from her bedroom, around 10.15pm, and they were said to have thrown grapes at each other for fun.
The knife that Scarlett was killed with.
Pic: PA
The mother said she then snipped at Vickers with the tongs and he complained it hurt – to which Scarlett called him “wimpy”.
Ms Hall claimed to turn away to serve the meal and then heard Scarlett say “ow”.
When she looked back, their only child was said to be pouring with blood.
In the 999 call, Ms Hall told the operator they had been “messing about” and her partner had thrown something at their daughter and “he didn’t realise”.
Vickers told one paramedic that his daughter had lunged towards him during a bout of play-fighting, the court was told.
“Exactly what then happens only you know,” The judge said, referring to the moment of the stabbing.
For the sentencing, the court heard the judge took into account the fact it was a momentary act, with no premeditation.
‘Loss of temper’
Mr Justice Cotter continued: “Scarlett was just 14, a normal, healthy girl with a long life ahead of her when it was cut short by you.
“She died in the kitchen of her own home within minutes of having been stabbed.
“It went from an ordinary, happy family Friday night to tragedy within seconds due to what must have been your loss of temper.
“There is no other plausible explanation.”
He added: “You have never given a truthful explanation of what happened.”
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Speaking outside court, Detective Superintendent Craig Rudd said: “We may never know precisely what happened in that kitchen, but we can be certain there is no justification for what Simon Vickers did.
“Had he not picked up that knife Scarlett would still be alive today.
Neighbours have been left in “shock” and fear after the sudden deaths of a popular British couple in rural France.
Dawn and Andrew Searle, who have not yet been officially named by French authorities, moved to the hamlet of Les Pesquies, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in southern France, around a decade ago.
The couple, who are in their 60s, are believed to have been found dead by a German friend who lives nearby, after Mr Searle did not turn up for one of their regular walks.
Andrew and Dawn Searle’s home
Ms Searle’s son, the country musician and former Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr, said in a statement posted online that he and his sister, Amanda Kerr, and Mr Searle’s two children, Tom and Ella Searle, were grieving.
Investigators are reportedly looking at whether the British couple were killed during a burglary, but all lines of enquiry, including murder-suicide or potential links to Mr Searle’s previous work as an organised crime financial investigator in the UK – are open.
A neighbour who knew them very well told Sky News they were “very happy people, joyful, very nice and would talk to people even if they didn’t know them. They always had a smile on their face.”
Ms Searle’s body was reportedly found outside their home, naked, with jewellery found scattered nearby, while Mr Searle’s body was discovered inside the house and had been gagged, according to local media.
There was little sign of their deaths at their home in the idyllic village on Monday, apart from the yellow and red Gendarmerie tape still on the white gate.
Police at the scene. Investigators are reportedly looking at whether the British couple were killed during a burglary
Locals described them as “good neighbours” who would often be seen walking their two dogs.
“Each year in September they would do this big dinner with all the village and invite everyone. They were very nice people,” said a woman who lived nearby.
“It’s very sad, it’s tragic. It’s a very low-key village, everybody gets along with each other and everybody’s in shock right now, they’re surprised.
“It’s scary too. The newspapers are saying possibly it’s because of what he used to do as a job. Here locally, nobody would hold grudges.”
The couple lived near Villefranche-de-Rouergue Aveyron in southern France
A LinkedIn profile in his name says he retired in 2015 after working for Barclays and Standard Life, and was “enjoying life in rural France”.
His page talks about having “over 20 years experience specialising in Financial Crime Prevention (AML, Fraud and Anti-Bribery) with a high profile in the industry and an extensive network of contacts”.
Another woman said she was about to buy a house in the hamlet but is now having second thoughts, adding: “I don’t feel safe here anymore”.
A postman said there was a big UK expat community in the area, with around 20 British people on his round.
The Searles have lived in the village permanently for 10 years and are said to be very integrated with the community.
“They would enjoy life, they would travel and sometimes go home as well,” a neighbour said.
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The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, who also lives in Les Pesquies, previously told broadcaster France 3 the deaths were “something criminal, a homicide very clearly”.
However, the public prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller said that while both “died violent deaths… all hypotheses remain open” while investigations continue.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities.”
UK
Teenage soldier Jaysley Beck found dead on military base had complained of ‘psychotic’ boss, inquest hears
A teenage soldier who was found dead at a military camp felt “trapped” by the “possessive and psychotic” behaviour of her army line manager, an inquest has heard.
Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on 15 December 2021.
A military inquiry report published in October 2023 described “an intense period of unwelcome behaviour” and said it was “almost certain this was a causal factor” in the 19-year-old’s death.
An inquest into her death heard Gunner Beck received thousands of messages from Bombardier Ryan Mason in a single month and his behaviour was “freaking her out”.
Her mother, Leighann McCready, described how her daughter “did not feel safe” as the situation involving Mr Mason intensified.
The Salisbury hearing was shown a series of WhatsApp messages between Gunner Beck and Mr Mason between October 2021 and December 2021.
Leighann McCready told the inquest her daughter did not feel safe
In one message to Gunner Beck, on 21 October, Mr Mason wrote: “Love you Jayse. As a friend.”
On 11 November, he wrote: “You’re amazing Jayse, I appreciate you so much, I love everything about you, even your flaws.”
On 25 November, Gunner Beck wrote to Mr Mason, telling him the situation was “becoming a bit too much” and “weighing me down”.
She added: “Totally honest here, I just don’t want to hear how you feel about me.”
Ms McCready said her daughter had received 3,600 messages from Mr Mason in the month of November – and Gunner Beck had expressed fears he was watching her.
She added her daughter had phoned her on 7 December when she was staying in a hotel in Newbury for work.
Gunner Beck was “upset and crying” and was “afraid something would happen,” Ms McCready said.
“Ryan was freaking her out,” she added.
Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire
‘It’s not normal behaviour’
The inquest was shown a draft text message that Gunner Beck had planned to send Mr Mason.
It said: “I honestly feel trapped in this whole situation, I have tried to act as normal as possible because we are working together but nothing normal about this situation.
“It’s possessive and psychotic, you have to understand it’s not normal behaviour.
“I am struggling to deal with all of this, it’s taking a huge toll on my own mental health for many personal reasons. I need time out.”
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The inquest was also told that Gunner Beck had complained of being assaulted by a sergeant who put his hand “between her legs” while on a team-building stay at Thorney Island, near Emsworth, Hampshire, in July 2021.
The hearing continues.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
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