Man to appear in court accused of schoolgirl murder

A man will appear in court 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, 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.

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

He is to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

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

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