A British father who claimed he accidentally stabbed his teenage daughter to death while they wereplay-fightinghas been found guilty of murder.

The news comes after a court heard earlier this month that Vickers had denied causing the death of his daughter, who was fatally stabbed in the chest on July 5, 2024. At the time he insisted they were just “messing around together in the kitchen, in a normal playful way,“Sky Newspreviously reported.

“Vickers had claimed that the pair had been play-fighting and jokingly throwing items at each other while cooking before he mistakenly swiped a kitchen knife which then hit Scarlett,” the CPS said in Monday’s release.

“After his partner called for an ambulance, paramedics attended the address and found Scarlett on the floor of the kitchen with a severe stab wound to the chest. Despite their efforts, Scarlett tragically died from her injuries a short time later,” the release added.

Scarlett Vickers.Durham Constabulary

Dad, Simon Vickers, Accused of Stabbing Daughter, Scarlett Vickers, 14, to Death During Kitchen ‘Play Fight’

Durham Constabulary

Durham Constabulary said in anews release, “The exact circumstances surrounding what happened next may never be known but at about 10:45 p.m. [local time] Vickers stabbed Scarlett with a kitchen knife,” adding that he “had been drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis throughout the evening.”

Scarlett’s mother, Sarah Hall, “was arrested at the time of the incident and later charged with murder. However, the charge was later dropped, and she has faced no further action,” police added in the release.

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“We have worked closely with Durham Police to meticulously piece together the tragic events which led to Scarlett’s death. Our thoughts remain with her family, for who this must remain a difficult time,” the prosecutor continued.

Durham Constabulary detective superintendent, Craig Rudd, added in the police release, “Scarlett Vickers would have celebrated her 16th birthday this year. She had her whole life ahead of her.”

“Sadly, today’s verdict will not bring Scarlett back, but he will now face the consequences of his actions,” Rudd added. “Our thoughts remain with those who cared about Scarlett."

source: people.com