THE father of murdered Southampton teenager Lucy McHugh has said he will not attend his daughter’s funeral.

Lucy, 13, was found stabbed to death at Southampton Sports Centre on July 26.

Police launched a murder investigation and cordoned off the scene after her body was discovered at about 7.45am that morning.

Officers have since released CCTV images showing Lucy at various locations in the city the day before she was found dead.

Her funeral will be held at Hollybrook Cemetery on bank holiday Monday.

But Lucy’s dad Andy took to Facebook to reveal he would not be attending.

He wrote: “To honour my daughter and avoid unnecessary conflict, I have made the difficult decision not to attend the public celebration of Lucy’s life.

“I am arranging an alternative service for those who wish to honour Lucy and say goodbye, but have felt unable to attend the public event.

“Yes I have not seen my daughter for four years, but it doesn’t mean I am not hurting. She was my daughter as well.

“Again, I ask for privacy and respect at this difficult time.”

Police are continuing to appeal for information as they carry out an investigation into the murder.

CCTV images show the teenager, who lived on Mansel Road East, walking past a Premier Convenience Store at 9.06am on Wednesday, July 25.

Detective Superintendent Paul Barton, who is leading the investigation, said: “These CCTV images show Lucy walking purposefully in the direction of the General Hospital shortly after she left her home in Mansel Road East.

“Perhaps you were on your way to a hospital appointment that morning and saw Lucy, but did not think anything of it at the time.

“You may have seen her near the hospital or after she went past the Tesco Express further along Coxford Road.

“You’ll see that a number 17 bus passed Lucy near the hospital. Were you on that bus and did you see her later on?

“It’s never too late to get in touch – your piece of information could make the difference in finding Lucy’s killer.”

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

Earlier in the investigation, Stephen Nicholson, 24, from Southampton, was charged with an offence relating to failing to disclose a password to his Facebook account to detectives investigating Lucy’s murder.

He was also arrested on suspicion of murder and sexual activity with a child. He was remanded in custody until August 31.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting Operation Refund, or visit https://mipp.police.uk/operation/1004.