Jury visits scene where schoolgirl Lucy McHugh's body was found

Carer Stephen Nicholson, of no fixed address, is accused of repeatedly stabbing the 13-year-old to the neck and upper body at Southampton Sports Centre before leaving her to die in July last year.

The 25-year-old, who is also a tattoo artist, is charged with Lucy’s murder as well as three counts of rape against her when she was aged 12.

He also faces two charges of sexual activity with a child against Lucy on multiple occasions when she was aged 13.

Nicholson is also charged with sexual activity with a child in relation to another girl aged 14, in June 2012.

Yesterday, the 12 jurors along with the judge and barristers from the trial at Winchester Crown Court were taken by coach to see the houses where Nicholson and Lucy lived in Mansel Road East.

They were then driven along the route taken by Lucy as she walked to the outdoor sports centre on the morning of July 25.

Her body was found by a dog walker in an area of woodland near to the dry ski slope the following day.

The jurors were also taken to another nearby area of woodland at Tanner’s Brook where discarded clothing was found in the days after the murder.

William Mousley QC, prosecuting, told the court that the items included a blue bloodstained Russell Athletic hoody which had DNA which was “highly likely” to be a mix of the defendant’s and Lucy’s.

Before the site visit, the judge Mrs Justice May told the jurors: “We are in effect the court going to the scene. The defendant will not be with us.

“While you are on the coach you must not talk about the case.”

Yesterday, the court heard how Lucy was in a ‘sexual relationship’ with Nicholson for a year before her death and had told him via a message that she was pregnant.

During the opening of the trial, the jury were told that Nicholson had “an interest in underage sex” and exploited Lucy who Mr Mousley described as “vulnerable”.

Nicholson denies the charges and the trial continues on Monday.