Parents appear in court charged with murdering daughter, 14, who was stabbed to death at Darlington home
THE parents of a 14-year-old girl have appeared in court charged with stabbing the teen to death.
Scarlett Vickers was discovered dead at home in Darlington, County Durham, on Friday night.
Simon Vickers, 48, and Sarah Hall, 44, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court today charged with murder.
The pair spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth and addresses during a brief hearing.
JPs were told there was an "incident" at the couple's home that resulted in the "fatal stabbing of their 14-year-old daughter".
Prosecutor Sarah Kemp added: "It was one knife injury which resulted in her death."
Vickers and Hall were remanded into custody to next appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 5.
The horror unfolded at around 11pm on Friday as police and paramedics were scrambled to the address in Geneva Road.
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.
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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."
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.
One person wrote: "RIP...such a cruel world we live in you will be missed."
While another said: "Horrible world we live in, she was such a good friend to everyone and made me laugh all the time."
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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.”
