Police to screen footage of murdered schoolgirl's last movements at Premier League match

The 13- year-old's body was discovered in a woodland at Southampton Sports Centre on July 26, a day after she disappeared

Lucy McHugh was found dead on 26 July, 2018, a day after she was last seen by family (PA)

Police investigating the murder of Lucy McHugh will screen CCTV footage of the 13-year-old’s last-known movements to thousands of football fans at a Premier League game on Sunday in the latest appeal for information on her death.

The schoolgirl’s body was found in a woodland at Southampton Sports Centre at 7.45am on July 26, a day after she disappeared. Detectives said she had been stabbed to death.

Lucy was seen leaving her home in Mansel Road East on 25 July. Footage shows her walking past the Tesco Express on the corner of Coxford Road and Lordswood Road at 9.30am near the sports centre where her body was discovered.

Police will be redoubling their efforts by handing out leaflets to fans arriving at Southampton Football Club's match against Burnley at the city's St Mary's Stadium before the footage is shown on large screens ahead of the game.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton said: "More than 200 members of the public have been in touch with information so far, but we know there's more to be done.

"The public's support has been fantastic and we're also grateful to Southampton FC for their help.

"However, someone out there knows something about Lucy's final movements.”

In the video, Lucy can be seen wearing a black jacket with white sleeves. It featured logo for the band Falling In Reverse on the front and RADKE 01 in red on the back. Her outfit also included a white vest top, camouflage leggings and black and white Jordan trainers.

Mr Barton added that it was “vital” to jog memories and make people to think back to Wednesday the 25th, the day of Lucy’s disappearance.

"Some Saints fans may have come back from holiday in time for the Burnley game and missed our appeals," he said.

Prime suspect Stephen-Alan Nicholson was remanded in custody after he was charged under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) for failing to provide investigators with his Facebook login details.

The 24-year-old, who was arrested on suspicion of murder and sexual activity with a child before being released on bail on 31 July, will next appear at Southampton Crown Court on 31 August.

Meanwhile, Crimestoppers is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Lucy's murder.

Information can be provided to police by calling 101 or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or through the non-traceable anonymous online form at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.