Paedophile who groomed girl, 13, before killing her in woods is jailed for life

The murderer of schoolgirl Lucy McHugh has been jailed for life – and will serve a minimum of 33 years behind bars.

Stephen Nicholson was yesterday found guilty of the "execution-style" killing of the 13-year-old.

The evil 25-year-old was scared she would reveal his year-long campaign of sexual abuse against her.

Today Nicholson, who had been living in Lucy's home as a lodger, was told he will serve at least 33 years in prison before being considered for release.

The tattoo artist was also found guilty of three counts of rape when Lucy was aged 12.

Sentencing Nicholson, the judge, Mrs Justice May, told him: "This was a pitiless attack on a child following months of sexual exploitation.

"The prosecution has described it as an execution and I am satisfied this is correct.

"The combination of his cold narcissism and hot anger dictated that she had to be put out of the way and he saw to it that this was done."

Lucy was lured by Nicholson to woodland at the outdoor Southampton Sports Centre on July 25 last year where he stabbed her 27 times in the neck and upper chest.

Nicholson has been described by police as a "predatory paedophile" who had abused the "vulnerable" youngster for more than a year while living as a lodger at her family home.

He killed her to silence her when she threatened to reveal their sexual relationship.

She had also said that she would tell her mother that Nicholson had got her pregnant, although a post-mortem examination showed that she was not pregnant at the time of her death.

William Mousley QC, prosecuting, described the murder as premeditated, and an "execution-style" killing.

The murder investigation was hampered when Nicholson refused to reveal his Facebook password – and police had to wait months before the social media giant handed over details of communications between him and Lucy.

This prompted calls from senior police and politicians for detectives to be given quicker access to social media accounts when investigating serious crimes.

A probe has also been launched into the handling of the case by social services after two schools alerted them that Lucy had told teachers she had been in a relationship with the defendant.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton, of Hampshire police, said after the trial: "I would describe Nicholson as cold and calculated, I would describe him as a paedophile and I think he is someone who only thinks about himself and has taken full advantage of this family that have looked after him, provided a roof over his head.

"He has targeted Lucy, taken advantage of her and when she wanted a relationship with him, he has taken the decision to silence her once and for all by brutally killing her."

The investigation into Lucy's death, described by the CPS as "one of the largest in criminal history", was obstructed when Nicholson refused to give police his Facebook password – for which he was previously jailed for 14 months.

After applying through the US courts for access to his account, prosecutors only received a log of his Facebook contacts with Lucy, but not the content of any messages.

It finally arrived the day that the trial started.

The defendant, who admitted dealing cannabis, claimed he had not wanted to reveal his drug contacts via his Facebook account out of fear they would attack his family.

Nicholson was also convicted sexual activity with another girl aged 14 – who he had sex with as a trade for giving her a cheaper tattoo in 2012.

The defendant denied having an appetite for sex with underage girls and said he did not have a relationship with Lucy.

He claimed Lucy had been "stalkerish" towards him, and he had been at the home of an elderly friend when she was murdered.

Nicholson was linked to the murder through DNA evidence from both him and Lucy found on clothing, described by prosecutors as his "murder kit" – which was discarded in woodland in Tanner's Brook, about a mile from the murder scene.

He also tried to cover his tracks by inflicting wounds on Lucy that could be interpreted as self-inflicted – and posed in different clothing on CCTV at a Tesco Express store.

The court heard that Nicholson, a father-of-one, had a love for reptiles and had a collection which included 12 pythons, chameleons, geckos and corn snakes.

Nicholson also told how he enjoyed "soft choking" women during sex, which involved squeezing their neck to intensify the sexual effect.

He was acquitted of a charge of sexual activity with a child on multiple occasions when Lucy was aged 13.

Lucy's mother, Stacey White, released a statement saying: "I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the support from our close family and friends during this harrowing time.

"The dedication from Hampshire Constabulary, the specialist teams across the country and the local communities helped to get justice for my precious daughter Lucy."

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