The jury in the trial of the man accused of the murder of Lucy McHugh has been ordered to return a not guilty verdict for a charge of sexual activity against her.
Stephen Nicholson, of no fixed address, is accused of repeatedly stabbing 13-year-old Lucy to the neck and upper body at Southampton Sports Centre before leaving her to die in July last year.
The judge, Mrs Justice May, told the jury at Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday to return a verdict of not guilty for a charge of sexual activity with a child against Lucy on multiple occasions when she was aged 13 between October 23, 2017, and July 26, 2018.
The 25-year-old defendant is charged with Lucy's murder as well as three counts of rape against her when she was aged 12.
He also faces another charge of sexual activity with a child against Lucy on multiple occasions when she was aged 13.
Nicholson is also charged with sexual activity with a child in relation to another girl aged 14, dated June 29, 2012.
The defendant denies the charges and the trial continues.
Reporting by PA.
