DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Southampton teenager Lucy McHugh have charged a man.

Stephen-Alan Paul Nicholson, aged 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.

Mr Nicholson is due to appear before Southampton Magistrates Court today.

Lucy’s body was found in woodland at Southampton Sports Centre on 26 July.

She had been stabbed to death.

Since her death, police officers have conducted a city-wide hunt for clues to find Lucy’s killer.

 

Police asked for help from the National Crime Agency while Crimestoppers offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Lucy’s murder.

In October marine specialists were seen emptying drains near Southampton Cemetery.

Officers scoured hundreds of hours of CCTV in a bid to piece together the tragic teenager's final moments.

In August they released "vital" footage of Lucy passing Tesco Express on the corner of Coxford Road and Lordswood Road at 9.30am on Wednesday, July 25.

 

Officers believe Lucy left her home in Mansel Road East shortly before 9am that morning.

Her body was discovered nearly two miles from home in a wooded area at the sports centre the following day.

 

News of the charge comes just days after the 13 year old’s mother Stacey paid heartfelt tributes to her daughter on what would have been her “angel’s” 14th birthday.

 

Ms White said: “Today should have been a celebration for you filled with presents, balloons, cakes and a party for our little smiling dolly, who had grown to a young lady of 14 – a mixture of fun, laughter, generosity, kindness and whose biggest critic was herself.”

Dozens of people attended an ‘I Love Lucy Day’ last month, when friends and family joined together to share memories of the youngster - as well as to raise money for a memorial garden at Redbridge Community School, where she would have gone into year nine.

Family and friends have been fundraising to create a memorial garden in her name at the school.

 

The garden will give students a place to reflect and remember their friend. Ms White said part of the money raised will also go towards community projects in Lucy’s honour.

Lucy’s dad, Andy McHugh, revealed how the months since her death had been “the most difficult and distressing time.”