The man suspected of killing schoolgirl Lucy McHugh has been jailed for refusing to give his Facebook password to police.

Stephen Nicholson, 24, admitted the charge under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) when he appeared via video-link at Southampton Crown Court on Friday.

Nicholson refused a request from detectives to give access to his Facebook account so they could investigate any private messages sent between himself and Lucy.

The 13-year-old girl, who lived in Mansel Road in the city, was discovered in woodland at Southampton Sports Centre in July.

She had been stabbed to death.


Nicholson, a family friend who was staying in Lucy's home until shortly before her death, was jailed for 14 months by judge Christopher Parker QC.

Image: The 13-year-old girl disappeared after leaving home on 25 July

Judge Parker said he rejected the defendant's "wholly inadequate" excuse that giving police his password would expose information relating to cannabis.

"What you have done is obstructed the investigation, and a very serious investigation indeed," he said.

"It has caused a very significant delay.

"It means that the task of police investigating the murder of Lucy McHugh is that much more difficult."

Matthew Lawson, prosecuting, said officers are currently going through the "lengthy procedure" to get the information from Facebook itself.

Nicholson was first held by Hampshire Police on suspicion of murder and sexual activity with a child.

Nicholson was initially released on bail, before later being charged under RIPA.

A decision on whether to charge him with further offences is expected on 27 October.