Eerie CCTV captures final moments of murdered schoolgirl
Chilling footage has revealed the last moments of 13-year-old Lucy McHugh before she was allegedly stabbed to death by a carer who had sexually abused her.
Stephen Nicholson, 25, has been charged with murder, rape of a child under 13 and two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16.
He is accused of repeatedly stabbing Lucy at Southampton Sports Centre on July 25 last year, before leaving her to die after the teen told him she was pregnant, The Sun reported.
The jury in the case has been shown CCTV footage of the day Lucy died, revealing the teen’s final movements as well as the accused holding a bag, which prosecutors claim contained blood-stained clothing.
The security camera footage was played at Winchester Crown Court. It showed Lucy walking from her home in Southampton at 9am, towards the outdoor sports centre.
During the 30-minute journey Lucy can be seen carrying a bottle, taking her jacket off and checking her watch, the jury was told.
Jurors were also reportedly shown CCTV footage of Nicholson riding his bike from his mother’s house, where he was living at the time, to a friend’s house and then to the sports centre on July 25, and the day before.
Footage also shows a cyclist within the grounds, taken at about 9.46am on July 25.
Nicholson was also seen buying items from a Tesco supermarket at 9am that day, the news outlet reported.
CCTV also shows Nicholson with a plastic bag, which police say appeared “less full than before” after it is alleged he disposed of bloody clothing in nearby woodland, according to the Sun.
Prosecutor William Mousley QC reportedly told the court Nicholson is accused of killing Lucy after she told him she was pregnant.
Nicholson denies all charges.
The trial was adjourned until Thursday local time, and Nicholson is remanded in custody.
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