A SUSPECT in the Lucy McHugh murder investigation has been jailed after refusing to give out his Facebook password.

Stephen Nicholson denied police access to his social media account, after he admitted to officers he had contacted Lucy on the evening before and morning of her disappearance in July.

The 24-year-old claimed by revealing his password, police may find information that would put his family at risk.

Judge Christopher Parker QC sentenced Nicholson, of no fixed abode, to 14 months imprisonment after he admitted failing to co-operate with a police investigation at Southampton Crown Court yesterday.

Lucy’s body was found by a dog walker on July 26 in woodland near Southampton Sports Centre.

A city-wide investigation into her death was launched by Hampshire Constabulary and the following day Nicholson was arrested on suspicion of murder and having sexual contact with a child.

He was later released under investigation on police bail but was subsequently charged for not giving his Facebook password under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

Matthew Lawson, prosecuting, told the court Nicholson was a friend of Lucy McHugh’s family and had been residing at their address on Mansel Road East until several days before Redbridge Community School pupil Lucy’s death.

Mr Lawson said: “When Nicholson was interviewed by police, the defendant admitted contacting Lucy on Facebook on the evening before and morning of her disappearance.

“He was required to provide passwords because of these claims.

“He refused to disclose this.”

Mr Lawson explained investigators had tried to obtain a crown court order which would require Nicholson to reveal his password.

However, when Nicholson was asked again by officers to provide the password, he replied “no”.

Mr Lawson added: “The police had to make enquiries with Facebook itself, which presented difficulties for the police.

“The police had to go through quite a lengthy procedure…the police investigation into Lucy’s murder has been considerably restricted by his refusal.”

Richard Tutt, mitigating, said Nicholson should receive a reduction in his sentence as he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity for the crime.

He said: “Nicholson explained to the police when asked to provide his password within his Facebook account, they would find information relating to cannabis and he was concerned that should that information be revealed he and members of his family would be at risk.”

Mr Tutt told the court Nicholson had worked in numerous jobs, including in a butcher’s company and in a warehouse, since the age of 16.

He said that Nicholson had worked for around nine months as a care worker, where he would regularly visit people’s homes to help them for around 30 minutes at a time.

Mr Tutt added that Nicholson also worked as a tattoo artist, contributing to charity events, as well as wishing to become a reptile breeder for a shop in the city.

In sentencing, Judge Christopher Parker QC said Nicholson “knew how important that was to the investigation…and you denied to disclose the password.”

He told the court: “Your refusal was considered and deliberate and you were fully aware of the significance of giving the password in the context of the murder investigation.”

He added: “The excuses you put forward for not providing the password remains wholly inadequate…the damage you have caused so far is very difficult to quantify.”

Mr Lawson confirmed that Hampshire Constabulary would decide whether to charge Nicholson with murder and sexual activity with a child by October 27.

Earlier this week, officers started carrying out an investigation in Shirley Warren where they believe the weapon that killed Lucy had been discarded. Hampshire Constabulary said it is searching an area of terrain between Tanner’s Brook Close, Bindon Road and Warren Crescent. They also asked members of the public if they saw a man riding a dark mountain bike from the Sports Centre along Coxford Road or close to the new search scene.

Police are appealing for sightings of a male cyclist, who is described as wearing a dark jacket and blue jeans, on Wednesday, July 25.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton, leading the case, said: “If you saw this man, please get in touch and help us find Lucy’s killer.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting Operation Refund.