Murder accused mother of Scarlett Vickers released on bail

Sarah Hall and her partner, Simon Vickers, were both charged with murder after 14-year-old Scarlett Vickers suffered a fatal stab wound in their Darlington home on Friday.

The 44-year-old Hall, of Geneva Road, was released on bail by a High Court judge this afternoon under strict conditions.

The barrister for the teenager’s father, Simon Vickers, did not make an application for bail on behalf of his client.

Scarlett Vickers (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Paul Rooney, representing Hall, put forward the argument for his client to be released on bail while the investigation into Scarlett’s death continues.

His Honour Mr Justice Jacobs, sitting at Teesside Crown Court, granted the application on the conditions that she will be subjected to an electronically monitored tag and reside at a settled address.

Forensic officers working at the scene on Geneva Road, Darlington (Image: Northern Echo)

The judge also ordered that the defendant should be subject to a curfew between 6pm and 7am each day.

A flood of heartbreaking tributes have been left for the schoolgirl at Haughton Academy following her death.

Pictures now show beautiful flowers laid around a tree on school grounds with kind words to the "lovely girl" as described by headteacher Su Gill.

In a tribute on the school website, she wrote: “Scarlett was a lovely girl and an important member of the Haughton Academy community. 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.”

Tributes to Scarlett Vickers, 14, at Haughton Academy in Darlington (Image: IAN LAMMING)

On Monday, at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court, Sarah Kemp, prosecuting, said: "There was an incident within their home. It was the fatal stabbing of their 14-year-old daughter.

"It was one knife injury which resulted in her death."

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Hall's solicitor, Georgia Snowdon, said her client was 'absolutely distraught' about what happened in the family home last Friday.

A pre trial preparation hearing is listed to take place at the same court on August 5.

The judge also agreed a provisional trial date for January 14 and listed it for ten days.

Vickers, 48, of Geneva Road, Darlington, did not appear during the short hearing and remains remanded in custody.