GUILTY UK - Lucy McHugh, 13, murdered,, Southampton, 25 July 2018

[Legally Bland]

Stephen Nicholson is in the dock. The court hears a short statement from one of Nicholson's neighbours about the note he left for them on the day of July 25 last year - the day Lucy disappeared.
As previously reported, the note stated Nicholson was planning to have a bonfire, which took place later that day. Nicholson later returned to retrieve the note, but it had been thrown in the bin

Sorry, didn't realise you were posting when I started my post.

 

[Legally Bland]

12:25pm

Mr Mousley asks if Mr Elmes and Stacey had talked to Lucy about claims the teenager had apparently made to friends that she was pregnant. He said: "We spoke to her about it but she told us she was talking about Stacey, who was pregnant at the time."

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Legally Bland]

12:27pm

Mr Elmes tells the court about Nicholson's hobbies. He says he enjoyed fishing and tattooing. He said Nicholson's tattoo business was through Facebook and word of mouth.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Legally Bland]

12:32pm

Asked about the arguments between Nicholson and Lucy, Mr Elmes tells the court that they were "petty" arguments. He says the arguments were "not very often". He says they would happen once or twice a week.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Legally Bland]

12:38pm

Mr Mousley asks Mr Elmes about any unusual incidents that took place in the house. He said he once came downstairs and saw Nicholson in the kitchen "as stiff as a leaf" and Lucy hugging him. He said he spoke to Nicholson about it and Nicholson told him that Lucy was upset and wanted a hug. Nicholson said he did not want to hug her and stood still.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Legally Bland]

12:40pm

Mr Elmes now talks about an argument witnessed by Lucy's grandmother Dawn White, which the court heard about on Thursday. He said he was not at the house during the argument, but saw Nicholson cycling away. He said Nicholson told him that he was going to his friend's house.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Legally Bland]

12:42pm

Mr Elmes also talks about an argument between Lucy and Nicholson on July 23 - two days before Lucy's disappearance.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Alyce]

Sorry, didn't realise you were posting when I started my post.

No probs Legally, am trying to do some figure work at same time, so it's great if you are posting up,

 

[Legally Bland]

12:45pm
Mr Elmes tells the court he asked Nicholson to leave. As he left, Mr Elmes said he heard Lucy say to Nicholson, "I've got a hold on you anyway".

12:46pm
He tells the court that Nicholson did not react.

12:47pm
Mr Elmes said that Lucy then said she wanted to tell him and her mother, Stacey, something. Stacey was driving someone to work at the time.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Legally Bland]

12:48pm

He tells the court that before Stacey had returned to the home, Lucy had fallen asleep.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Legally Bland]

12:53pm

The court now breaks for lunch. The trial is set to continue at 2pm.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Alyce]

Mr Elmes also talks about an argument between Lucy and Nicholson on July 23
Mr Elmes tells the court he asked Nicholson to leave
Mr Elmes said that Lucy then said she wanted to tell him and her mother, Stacey, something.
Stacey was driving someone to work at the time.
He tells the court that before Stacey had returned to the home, Lucy had fallen asleep.


A late night argument then between Lucy and SN ?

 

[Alyce]

Dr Purdue said one wound made him "wonder whether the assailant wanted to make it look like self-infliction".

Schoolgirl stabbed to death 'while immobile'

 

[LittleMystery]

12:32pm

Asked about the arguments between Nicholson and Lucy, Mr Elmes tells the court that they were "petty" arguments. He says the arguments were "not very often". He says they would happen once or twice a week.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

BBM

Once or twice a week seems pretty often to me.

 

[Legally Bland]

2:22pm

There is a short delay in the trial restarting this afternoon. We will keep you posted as soon as the court resumes.


2:28pm

Back underway here at Winchester Crown Court - if you want a round-up of some of this morning's evidence click here >>>

You can also scroll down the page to see more from today.


2:28pm

Mr Elmes resumes his evidence. He begins by talking about July 25 - the day Lucy McHugh went missing.


2:30pm

Mr Elmes tells the jury he saw Lucy doing her make-up that morning. She said she was going to a friend's house.


2:36pm

Mr Elmes tells the court about a five-minute telephone conversation he had with Nicholson at 10.51am on July 25. Mr Elmes said Nicholson called him to ask him to get a rat out of the freezer so Nicholson could feed his pet snake.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

BBM

 

[Legally Bland]

2:39pm

Mr Elmes tells the jury he later received a phone call from Nicholson, asking him if he could borrow power tools from him. He said Nicholson told him he wanted to do work in his mother's shed.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Legally Bland]

2:40pm

He adds that Nicholson came round to collect the tools around 3pm on July 25. Asked how Nicholson seemed, Mr Elmes said: "Off. He didn't seem himself. He seemed more depressed than normal."

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Legally Bland]

2:45pm

He said concern began to grow about Lucy in the evening when she had not returned home. Mr Elmes tells the jury he went out for a driving lesson. When he returned he said Stacey and her mother Dawn had gone out looking for Lucy.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears


I'm going to be offline for a bit if anyone wants to take over.

 

[Tortoise]

2:48pm

Mr Elmes tells the jury that the police were called and a male officer attended their home. He said he later joined the search for Lucy. He said when he returned the atmosphere was "complete panic" and everyone was "distraught".

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears

 

[Tortoise]

2:50pm

Mr Elmes tells the court that Lucy's mother went to work the next day (July 26) to try to "take her mind off the situation".

2:52pm

He said police attended the home that morning, looking to speak to Stacey. Mr Elmes later tells the court that he received a phone call from the police, telling them that a body had been found at the Sports Centre.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial: 'Teenager was not pregnant', court hears