A mother accused of killing her 14-year-old daughter at their home has been cleared, while the girl’s father faces trial later this year.
Scarlett Vickers was allegedly stabbed at the family home in Darlington, County Durham, on July 5.
Police and paramedics were called shortly after 11pm, but when they arrived at the scene the teenager was pronounced dead.
Her parents, Simon Vickers, 48, and Sarah Hall, 44, were both initially charged with her murder.
On Monday the case against Ms Hall was discontinued, a court spokesman said.
Vickers pleaded not guilty to both murder and manslaughter and was remanded until his next appearance at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday, when an application for bail will be made.
Scarlett Vickers, 14, (pictured) was allegedly stabbed at the family home in Darlington, County Durham, on July 5
Scarlett Vickers’ tragic final TikTok video hours before she was allegedly stabbed to death by her parents shows her posing in her bedroom mirror
Police in forensics gear stand next to a marked police van outside a property in Darlington on July 7
Floral tributes and balloons were left outside Scarlett’s house by heartbroken friends and neighbours
Floral tributes and balloons were left outside the teenager’s house after the tragedy
Judge Laird told Vickers that his trial will take place on October 2. ‘You are required, by law, to serve a document called a defence statement.
‘This will set out your defence. Your lawyers will write this on your behalf. You are remanded into custody.’
Scarlett was a Year Nine pupil at Haughton Academy in Darlington. In a moving tribute to the teenager, the school said: ‘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.
‘The trust is working hard to support pupils and staff through this very difficult time.’
