Lucy murder suspect in court for refusing to give Facebook password to police

The prime suspect in the murder of schoolgirl Lucy McHugh has appeared in court charged with failing to provide detectives investigating her death with his Facebook password.

Stephen-Alan Nicholson was remanded in custody at Southampton Magistrates' Court where he appeared charged under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa).

The offence carries a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment.

The court was told that the allegation involved the 24-year-old, of no fixed address, refusing to provide his Facebook password to detectives investigating any private messages sent between himself and the 13-year-old girl.

Lucy's body was found in woodland near Southampton Sports Centre on July 26. She had been stabbed to death.