Simon Vickers, 50, told a jury his daughter Scarlett, 14, was killed during a 'playfight' in the kitchen before dinner, but forensic evidence proved he lied and 'deliberately' stabbed her with force

A father who claimed he mistakenly stabbed his 14-year-old daughter to death during a kitchen 'play fight' has been found guilty of her murder, according to authorities in England.

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The mugshot showing 50-year-old Simon Vickers comes after the dad was found guilty of murdering Scarlett, 14, at their home in Darlington during a "playfight" in summer 2024

Simon Vickers, 50, claimed a knife which caused the death of his only child Scarlett Vickers in the kitchen of their home "without realising". | ITV News Tyne Tees

Simon Vickers gave evidence at Teesside Crown Court, where he denies both the murder and manslaughter of his only child Scarlett

Simon Vickers, 50, denies both the murder and manslaughter of his only child Scarlett in the kitchen of their home in Darlington during a "play-fight" last July.

Prosecutors claimed Vickers must have stabbed his daughter "deliberately with the knife" because the wound was "too deep" to have been caused accidentally. Mark McKone, KC, prosecuting, told the dad during cross-examination: "I will have to suggest to you that you have not told the truth about how Scarlett was wounded."

Simon Vickers, 50, denied the murder and manslaughter of his teenage daughter – as the defence argued a 'freak accident' took place while the family cooked spaghetti bolognese