Murder charges against teen's mother dropped
Scarlett Vickers, 14, was a student at Darlington's Haughton Academy
- Published
Charges have been dropped against a mother accused of murdering her 14-year-old daughter.
Scarlett Vickers died after being stabbed in the chest at her family home in Darlington on 5 July.
Her parents Sarah Hall, 44, and Simon Vickers, 49, were subsequently arrested and charged with killing her.
At a hearing at Teesside Crown Court, Mr Vickers pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and manslaughter. Prosecutors discontinued the case against Ms Hall.
Scarlett Vickers has been described by her friends as a nice and kind girl who "didn't deserve what happened to her".
Hundreds of people turned out to pay tribute to her at a memorial event last month, including pupils from her school, Haughton Academy.
School principal Su Gill described Scarlett as "popular, respectful and polite" and said she would be "greatly missed".
Mr Vickers, of Geneva Road in Darlington, will face trial in October and is expected to make an application for bail later this week.
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