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Tattoo artist, 24, charged with murdering 13-year-old schoolgirl Lucy McHugh

Andy Wells
·Freelance Writer
<em>A 24-year-old man has been charged with the murder of schoolgirl Lucy McHugh (PA)</em>
A 24-year-old man has been charged with the murder of schoolgirl Lucy McHugh (PA)

A 24-year-old man is due in court today after he was charged with the murder of schoolgirl Lucy McHugh.

The body of the 13-year-old was found in woodland at Southampton Sports Centre on July 26. She had been stabbed to death.

Stephen-Alan Nicholson, of no fixed abode, has been charged with murder, rape of a child under 13 and two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16.

One of the counts of sexual activity with a child dates back to 2012 and involves a 14-year-old girl.

<em>The body of the 13-year-old was found in woodland at Southampton Sports Centre on July 26 (PA)</em>
The body of the 13-year-old was found in woodland at Southampton Sports Centre on July 26 (PA)

He is to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court today.

A Hampshire police spokesman said: ‘Detectives investigating the murder of teenager Lucy McHugh have charged a man.

‘Stephen-Alan Paul Nicholson, aged 24, of no fixed abode, has been charged with murder, rape of a child under 13 and two counts of sexual activity with a child under 16.

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‘Lucy’s body was found in woodland at Southampton Sports Centre on July 26.

‘Mr Nicholson is due to appear before Southampton magistrates on Thursday November 15.’

Lucy’s mother Stacey White described her as ‘a smiling, content little dolly who everyone adored and cherished’.