Rebecca Thompson: Father charged with murder of 11-year-old daughter

Simon Thompson accused of strangling 11-year-old to death at family’s home

Rebecca Thompson was found dead at a home in Bushey (PA)

A father has appeared in court charged with strangling his 11-year-old daughter at their family home in Hertfordshire.

Rebecca Thompson’s body was found by her mother at the house in Holmefield Road, Bushey, on Saturday 22 June. Reports suggest she may have lain dead for up to 12 hours before being discovered.

Simon Thompson, 52, was involved in a car crash in the early hours of the same day, and had been held under police guard at hospital until officers were first allowed to question him on Friday.

He has now been charged with his daughter’s murder, and appeared at Hatfield Magistrate’s Court today.

Rebecca's headteacher paid tribute to the schoolgirl. In a statement, Rita Cooper, head of Sacred Heart Primary School, said: "It is with great sadness that we heard of the death of Rebecca who was in Year 6 at Sacred Heart.

"Rebecca was a lovely girl who was hard-working and did well in her learning. She was looking forward to secondary school.

"'The whole school is very distressed by this tragedy and our thoughts are with her family and friends."