Mylee Billingham: Father 'has no memory of tragic death', murder trial hears

William Billingham fatally wounded eight-year-old Mylee in his Brownhills home just a day after the pair shared a Chinese takeaway and watched films together, prosecutors allege.

But the murder-accused has since claimed he has 'no memory' of the tragedy and denies killing the schoolgirl.

Opening the case on Tuesday, prosecutor Mr Karim Khalil QC said: "She was trusting of him and she was defenceless.

"He stabbed her to death by plunging a kitchen knife into her chest when she was alone with him in his house.

"We say that the evidence will make you sure that he is guilty of her murder.

"The defendant did provide an account in interview of the time leading up to these terrible events, but he claimed to have no memory of the events themselves.

"He has therefore provided little, if anything, by way of explanation for what he did."

Excited

Billingham arranged with ex-partner Tracey Taundry for Mylee to stay over at his Valley View home after collecting their daughter from after-school club on January 19.

St James Primary School pupil Mylee was 'excited' to spend time with her father, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

The father-of-six took her to Ogley Men’s Working Club to play pool, accompanied by his older daughter and Mylee's half-sister Melissa Billingham, Mr Khalil said.

The trio later ordered a take-away and decided to stay at Melissa Billingham's home, with the defendant sending Ms Taundry a photo of Mylee on a blow-up bed in her pyjamas.

Prosecutors allege 55-year-old Billingham, who was signed off work with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, murdered Mylee in his home the next day.

Hostile

Mr Khalil added: "Moments before he stabbed his daughter to death, Tracey had arrived at the defendant's home to collect Mylee.

"Whilst at the front door, the defendant threatened to kill Tracey with the same knife and she had run off a short distance."

Jurors were told Billingham had become 'hostile' towards Ms Taundry and her new female partner following the break-down of their relationship.

He allegedly hacked into Ms Taundry's Facebook account and read messages she had privately sent to her partner.

Billingham also let himself into Ms Taundry's First Avenue house on one occasion, taking a photo wearing her underwear.

Billingham, who worked as an injection-moulder, denies making a threat to kill and murder. The trial continues.