Stabbed girl shouted ‘no daddy’ as father dragged her into house, court told

An eight-year-old girl called out for her mother and shouted "no daddy" as she was dragged to her death at the hands of her father, a murder trial has heard.

Birmingham Crown Court was told Mylee Billingham was stabbed "right through" her chest after William Billingham grabbed the hood of her coat and pulled her into his bungalow, as her mother dialled 999 outside.

On the second day of the trial, prosecutor Karim Khalil QC said Billingham, a 55-year-old father-of-six, only made comments about his own welfare as police tried to revive his daughter.

Billingham denies murdering Mylee at his bungalow in Valley View, near Walsall, and making a threat to kill her mother, his former partner Tracey Taundry, as she arrived to collect the primary school pupil.

Continuing his opening address to the jury on Wednesday, Mr Khalil said Mylee was near the doorstep of the property when she was pulled inside.

The Crown barrister told the jury: "As Tracey and Mylee began to walk away, Tracey heard a 'tink' sound behind her.

"She turned and saw a large black-handled knife on that doorstep. The defendant immediately bent down and picked it up. He said something to effect of 'This isn't happening'."

The court was told that Billingham, who claims to have no memory of the day of the alleged murder, stepped out of his front door and put the knife against the side of Miss Taundry's neck, saying "I'm going to f****** kill you."

Mr Khalil added: "Tracey managed to move away. She also pushed Mylee away and started to run but she slipped.

"Then Tracey saw the defendant grab Mylee by the hood of her coat and he started to drag Mylee back towards the bungalow. All the time Mylee was shouting 'mummy, mummy' and 'please daddy, no daddy, stop it'."

After Mylee was taken inside, Miss Taundry banged on the door but could not open it as she shouted to her daughter.

Police gained entry to the property quickly, the trial was told, where they were confronted with a "terrible" scene.

Billingham is alleged to have been unco-operative with the first two officers to arrive, only speaking to confirm he had a lung condition which had caused him breathing difficulties.

"We say that he continued to show a total disregard for her young life, referring only to something that might matter to his own care," Mr Khalil said.