Hertfordshire Father Simon Thompson Charged with 11-year-old Daughter's Murder

A Hertfordshire father will apear in court on Saturday 6 July charged with the murder of his 11-year-old daughter Rebecca.

Rebecca Thompson was found strangled at her home in Holmefield Road, Bushey, on Saturday 22 June.

Her father Simon Thompson, 52, had earlier been taken to hospital with serious leg injuries after being cut free from his car in the early hours of the same day. His Volkswagen was wrecked in the high-speed crash.

He was in a critical but stable condition.

Rebecca is believed to have lain dead for more than 12 hours. Her body was discovered by her mother Mary.

He has now been charged with murder and will appear at Hatfield Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

Rebecca's headteacher, Rita Cooper at Sacred Heart Primary School, said: "It is with great sadness that we heard of the death of Rebecca who was in Year Six.

"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."

According to the Daily Mail, neighbours described the family as private and Rebecca was only seen in the company her parents and never played outside with the other children in the street.

Another neighbour said of Simon and Rebecca Thompson: "You used to see him with her. He used to take his daughter for walks up to the shops."