A mother and father have appeared in court accused of murdering their 14-year-old daughter who, the court heard, was fatally stabbed.
Simon Vickers, 49, and Sarah Hall, 44, of Darlington, who have been charged with murder, appeared at Newton Aycliffe magistrates court in County Durham on Monday.
They are accused of murdering Scarlett Vickers on Friday.
Police and paramedics said they attended an address in Geneva Road, Darlington, shortly after 11pm. A girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sarah Kemp, prosecuting, said: “There was an incident at the home address in Darlington resulting in the fatal stabbing of Scarlett, the 14-year-old daughter of both defendants. She suffered a single knife wound to the chest resulting in her death.”
She added: “This is not a matter that can be dealt with here and I ask the case be sent to the crown court.”
Both defendants appeared in court dressed in grey police-issued clothing.
Georgia Snowdon, representing Hall, told the court: “There is a dispute over the facts of the case. My client is absolutely distraught.”
Amrit Jandoo, for Vickers, said he also disputed the facts likely to be presented by the prosecution when the case next came to court.
The judge, Steven Hudd, told Vickers and Hall: “The offence of murder is one which can only be heard at crown court. I am sending your case to Teesside crown court for a plea and case management hearing on 5 August.”
He said that if either defendant wished to make a bail application they would be able to do so on Wednesday, but both were remanded into custody in the meantime.
Following the arrests, Det Supt Craig Rudd of Durham police 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 cooperation while investigative work is still being carried out at the scene, and to reassure residents that we believe this to be an isolated incident.”
Neighbours said they were shocked. One resident, who asked not to be named, said:“It’s just awful.
“They kept themselves to themselves that family. I don’t know anything more.”
Another described the 14-year-old as “a canny lass”. They added: “It’s absolutely awful. I just read about it. We used to see her going up and down the street but we never talked.”
