Murder suspect charged with refusing to hand over password
THE suspect in the Lucy Mchugh murder investigation was yesterday remanded in custody for a month for allegedly failing to hand over his Facebook password to police.
Stephen-alan Nicholson, 24, a care worker, was arrested by detectives investigating the murder of the 13-yearold, and was charged with failing to cooperate with police by refusing to hand over the password.
Having been arrested on Thursday, hours after Lucy’s body was discovered, he appeared at Southampton magistrates’ court yesterday afternoon wearing a grey tracksuit.
Nicholson spoke only to confirm his name and address during the 45-minute hearing.
Nicholson, whose address was given as “no fixed abode”, was charged under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) with failing to disclose access codes to an electronic device.
Magistrate Michelle Fox-rousell remanded him in custody until Aug 31, when he will appear before Southampton Crown Court via a video link.
It came as hundreds of friends yesterday gathered to release balloons as a tribute to the murdered teenager in a park around 200 yards from her home.
It has been revealed that Lucy had been stabbed to death, but detectives are yet to find the weapon – believing it could have even been a pair of scissors.
Lucy was found in woodland at Southampton Sports Centre on July 26.
Earlier yesterday, Nicholson had been formally released on bail by Hampshire police who had been questioning him in custody on suspicion of murder and sexual activity with a child. But the carer was brought to court by police to face the RIPA charge.
A gofundme set up to raise £5,000 towards costs for Lucy’s funeral received more than £6,000 in two days.
Stacey White, her mother, has called for calm following Nicholson’s arrest.