A father has denied killing his 14-year-old daughter – as charges against the girl’s mother were dropped.

Scarlett Vickers was allegedly stabbed to death at her family’s home in Geneva Road in Darlington, County Durham, in July.

Her parents – Simon Vickers, 48, and 44-year-old Sarah Hall – were initially both charged with her murder.

But on Monday, the case against Hall was dropped, a court spokesperson said.

Vickers has pleaded not guilty to both murder and manslaughter.

He was remanded into custody ahead of his next appearance at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday, when an application for bail will be made.

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Scarlett was a pupil at Haughton Academy in Darlington.

In a tribute after her death, the school said Scarlett “was always immaculately turned out, respectful and polite”.

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“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,” it added.

“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.”

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