MURDERER Stephen Nicholson is to be sentenced today for the killing of Southampton schoolgirl Lucy McHugh.

The 25-year-old, of no fixed address, will be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court this morning, by the Honourable Mrs Justice May.

It comes after Nicholson was found guilty of the murder and rape of 13-year-old Lucy – whose body was found in a wooded area of Southampton Sports Centre in July last year.

Nicholson was also found guilty of sexual activity with another girl, who was aged 14 at the time.

The verdicts followed a month-long trial at Winchester Crown Court.

The jury heard how Lucy's body was found in a wooded area of Southampton Sports Centre on July 26 last year.

A post mortem examination revealed the 13-year-old had suffered multiple stab wounds, including three fatal wounds to her neck.

Prosecutor William Mousley QC previously told the jury that Nicholson killed Lucy after she told him she was pregnant.

He said the defendant, who had been living in Lucy mother’s home as a lodger, had been exploiting the vulnerable teenager during a secret year-long sexual relationship.