A dad has been found guilty of murdering his 14-year-old daughter.
Scarlett Vickers bled to death at her home in Darlington in July after suffering a 4in-deep (11cm) stab wound to her chest.
Simon Vickers, 50, claimed he caused the fatal injury while they were “mucking about” in a “freak accident” but prosecutors at Teesside Crown Court said the wound must have been inflicted deliberately.
He was found guilty of murder and will be sentenced in February.
The trial had heard Scarlett died at her home in Geneva Road after being stabbed in the kitchen on 5 July.
Her parents were the only other people present.
The prosecution’s case relied on the conclusion of a pathologist who said it was “practically impossible” for the wound to have been caused by a thrown knife and must have been inflicted by a blade being firmly held in Vickers’ hand.
His lawyers said he was already serving a “life sentence” after her death.
Jurors spent 13 hours and 21 minutes deliberating their verdict before reaching a majority agreement, with 10 finding Vickers guilty of murder.
He was remanded in custody to be sentenced on 10 February.
