A man who claimed he accidentally stabbed his teenage daughter to death while they were play-fighting has been found guilty of murder.

On Monday (January 27), Simon Vickers, 50, was convicted at Teesside Crown Court in Northern England for the fatal stabbing of his daughter Scarlett Vickers on July 5, 2024.

Scarlett Vickers tragically died on July 5, 2024. Credit: Durham Constabulary

The verdict followed a trial that dismantled the British man’s claims of innocence, according to a news release by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

During the trial, Vickers maintained that his daughter’s death was an unfortunate accident that occurred while they were “messing around together in the kitchen, in a normal playful way,” cited by Sky News.

He alleged they had been jokingly throwing items at each other when he accidentally swiped a kitchen knife, which fatally struck the teen in the chest.

The CPS release described how paramedics arrived at the scene to find Scarlett on the kitchen floor with a severe stab wound. Despite their best efforts, she died from her injuries shortly afterward, People reported.

According to the BBC, forensic pathologist Jennifer Bolton testified in court that it was “practically impossible” for the fatal wound – a 4-inch deep stab wound to Scarlett’s chest – to have been caused accidentally during play.

Bolton explained that the knife would have needed to be firmly held and struck at a precise 90-degree angle to pierce Scarlett’s pajama top and cause such a deep wound.

“The account provided by Simon Vickers about how his daughter, Scarlett, sustained a fatal injury is wholly inconsistent with the forensic evidence in this case,” Anna Barker, a senior crown prosecutor with CPS North East, said.

“The nature of the wound sustained by Scarlett could only have been caused if the knife used had been firmly gripped as she was injured,” she continued.

“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 added.

Simon Vickers was found guilty of murdering his 14-year-old daughter. Credit: Durham Police

Durham Constabulary revealed in a news release that Vickers had been drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis throughout the evening leading up to the heartbreaking event.

Scarlett’s mother, Sarah Hall, was initially arrested and charged with murder but the charges against her were dropped, and she faced no further action.

Detective Superintendent Craig Rudd of Durham Constabulary spoke about the devastating loss, saying: “Scarlett Vickers would have celebrated her 16th birthday this year. She had her whole life ahead of her. Yet it was cruelly cut short by her own father – a man who was meant to protect her.

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

Vickers is set to be sentenced on February 10 at Teesside Crown Court.