The man arrested over the murder of schoolgirl Lucy McHugh has been remanded in custody accused of failing to provide his Facebook password to detectives investigating the death.
Stephen-Alan Nicholson was remanded at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where he appeared charged under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa) which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.
The court was told that the allegation involved the 24-year-old refusing to provide his Facebook password to detectives investigating any private messages sent between himself and the 13-year-old, the Press Association reports.
Nicholson had earlier been released on bail and told he must not enter Southampton following his arrest on suspicion of murder and suspicion of sexual activity with a child.
Lucy’s body was discovered in woodland near Southampton Sports Centre at 7.45am on Thursday. Police say she was stabbed to death.
Detectives say the 13-year-old left her house in Mansel Road East at 9.30am on Wednesday 25 July.
When the teenager left her house she was wearing a distinctive black jacket with white sleeves, the logo for the band Falling in Reverse on the front and RADKE 01 in red on the back.