Tributes paid to ‘lovely’ 14-year-old killed in knife attack as parents appear in court charged with murder

Tributes have been paid to a 14-year-old girl killed in a knife attack after her parents appeared in court charged over her death.

Scarlett Vickers died on Friday in Darlington after suffering a single stab wound, court papers showed.

Police and paramedics were called to an address in Geneva Road at shortly after 11pm on Friday.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, Durham Constabulary said.

Simon Vickers and Sarah Hall – both of Geneva Road in Darlington – have been charged with Scarlett’s murder. They both appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

No plea was entered and Vickers and Hall were remanded into custody to next appear at Teesside Crown Court on August 5.

In a tribute posted to its website, Haughton Academy in Darlington, Co Durham, said Scarlett was a “lovely girl and important member” of the school community.

The statement continued: “She was always immaculately turned out, respectful and polite.

“A very friendly girl with a great sense of humour, she was popular with her friends and will be greatly missed by everyone at school.

“Staff and pupils at Haughton Academy and the Education Village Academy Trust are extremely saddened by the news and we 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.”

Haughton Academy said students and parents can bring flowers to the school to lay at a memorial space on its main site.

The school said: “This is a very difficult time for us all but we know we can get through it by coming together as a strong community and by remembering Scarlett in our own ways.”

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 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.”