TRAGIC END
Schoolgirl Scarlett Vickers, 14, ‘knifed to death by parents’ at home was ‘respectful, polite & lovely’
Scarlett's parents appeared in court today
HEARTBREAKING tributes have poured in for a 14-year-old schoolgirl who was killed with a single stab wound to the chest.
Scarlett Vickers has been pictured for the first time after she was found dead at an address in Darlington on Friday - with her parents appearing in court today charged with murder.
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Flowers and messages paying tribute have been left at the scene.
Simon Vickers, 48, and Sarah Hall, 44, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court earlier on Monday charged with murder.
During a brief hearing, the pair spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses.
The court heard there was an "incident" that resulted in the "fatal stabbing of their 14-year-old daughter".
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Prosecutor Sarah Kemp added: "It was one knife injury which resulted in her death."
District Judge Hood remanded Vickers and Hall into custody to next appear at Teesside Crown Court at 10am on August 5.
They were not asked to enter pleas.
The horror unfolded around 11pm as police and paramedics scrambled to the address.
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Tragically, the teenager couldn't be saved and was declared dead at the scene.
Tributes have flooded in for the "funny" schoolgirl, with candles and flowers left outside her home.
POLICE STATEMENT
Detective Superintendent Craig Rudd, 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.”
Su Gill, the Principal of Haughton Academy where Scarlett was a pupil, said: "Scarlett was a lovely girl with a great sense of humour. She was always immaculately turned out, respectful and polite.
"A very friendly girl, she was popular with her friends and will be greatly missed by the school community.
"The staff and students at Haughton Academy and the Education Village Academy Trust are extremely saddened by the news and 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."
Haughton Academy said students and parents can bring flowers to the school to lay at a memorial space on its main site.
The school said: "This is a very difficult time for us all but we know we can get through it by coming together as a strong community and by remembering Scarlett in our own ways."
A neighbour said: "Scarlett was full of life and she was always out with her friends like a normal 14-year-old girl."
Another local told how dad Simon works for the 3M manufacturing
plant, while mum Sarah stays at home with dog Buster.
Heartbroken friends and family have also paid tribute to the youngster online.
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One person wrote: "You will be missed."
While another said: "She was such a good friend to everyone and made me laugh all the time."