What was supposed to be a joyful family holiday to Gran Canaria in six weeks never came to pass.
Instead, Simon Vickers, a 50-year-old father from Darlington, now faces life in prison for the murder of his 14-year-old daughter, Scarlett.
The shocking incident, which unfolded on June 5 last year, left a community reeling and raised chilling questions about what truly happened that night.

A Father’s Claim of a “Freak Accident”
Simon Vickers maintained throughout his trial that Scarlett’s death was a tragic accident.
According to him, what started as playful “mucking about” in the kitchen turned deadly when a knife was allegedly “accidentally swiped.”
However, the evidence painted a far darker picture.
A deep, 11cm stab wound to Scarlett’s chest pierced her heart, causing rapid blood loss that claimed her life before paramedics could save her.
Vickers argued that he did not deliberately harm his daughter, theorizing instead that the knife might have struck the side of a countertop and Scarlett accidentally fell onto it.
Yet the forensic analysis contradicted this version of events. Pathologist Dr. Jennifer Bolton testified that the wound could only have been inflicted if the knife had been “firmly gripped.”
Chilling Words Caught on Camera
In police footage released after the trial, Vickers seemed more concerned about his vacation than the gravity of the situation.
“We’re going on holiday to f***ing Gran Canaria in six weeks,” he complained during his arrest.
His demeanor shifted between disbelief and denial, repeating that the incident was a misunderstanding.
“We were cooking tea. Just mucking about. I don’t understand how this happened.”
These statements, combined with inconsistent accounts of the evening, raised serious doubts about his credibility.
Prosecutors alleged that Vickers might have been irritated during what started as playful antics in the kitchen, leading to a fatal act of violence.
Scarlett’s Final Hours
Before tragedy struck, Scarlett had posted a TikTok video from her bedroom, smiling and posing in a black outfit.
The video, captioned “Ignore the mess pls,” was her last visible interaction with the world before her life was cut short.
Emergency services rushed to the family’s home in Geneva Street just before 11 p.m., where Scarlett was found bleeding heavily on the kitchen floor.
Her mother, Sarah Hall, frantically told a 999 operator, “She’s losing quite a bit of blood. I don’t know what happened.”
Vickers could be heard in the background, screaming, “Scarlett, talk to me! She’s gone blue.”
The Verdict: A Father Convicted
After deliberating, a jury at Teesside Crown Court found Simon Vickers guilty of murder.
The prosecution argued that the evidence made it “practically impossible” for Scarlett’s death to have been accidental.
Vickers now faces a life sentence, with his punishment to be finalized on February 10.
While no clear motive was established, the prosecution emphasized that Vickers’ actions were deliberate, pointing to the nature of the wound and the implausibility of his claims.
A Community in Mourning
Scarlett’s death left her school, Haughton Academy, and the wider community heartbroken.
Headteacher Su Gill described her as “a lovely girl, always immaculately turned out, respectful, and polite.”
Friends and classmates mourned the loss of a bright, cheerful teenager with a great sense of humor.
Justice for Scarlett
Speaking after the verdict, Detective Superintendent Craig Rudd expressed sorrow over the senseless loss of Scarlett’s life.
“She had her whole life ahead of her, yet it was cruelly cut short by her own father—a man meant to protect her.”
Though the verdict cannot bring Scarlett back, it ensures that Simon Vickers will face the consequences of his actions.
For now, her family and friends are left to grieve the void left by a life taken too soon.
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