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Dublin: 3 °C Saturday 25 May, 2013

Stuart Hazell to appear in court today charged with Tia Sharp’s murder

The body of the 12-year-old was found in her grandmother’s house on Friday night.

Stuart Hazell pictured on Wednesday 8 August as he left Christine Sharp's home
Stuart Hazell pictured on Wednesday 8 August as he left Christine Sharp's home
Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

STUART HAZELL, THE partner of 12-year-old Tia Sharp’s grandmother will appear in court today via video link charged with the schoolgirl’s murder.

He was arrested on Friday after a body was removed from the house he shared with 46-year-old Christine Sharp in Croydon London. Hazell was charged with Tia’s murder at the weekend, while Christine Sharp was released on bail after being questioned by police.

Her neighbour Paul Meehan was also released on bail.

Tia was last seen alive on Friday 3 August, when Hazell said she left her grandmother’s house to buy a pair of flip flops. Her body was found last Friday. Police apologised for the delay in finding her, after the scene was visited by officers a number of times.

In an interview with Croydon Today Tia’s father Steven Carter said that his daughter’s body as probably only a short distance away from him when he arrived in New Addington to help with the search last weekend. He said he was not allowed into Christine Sharp’s house.

A post mortem is continuing on Tia’s body, which has not been formally identified. However the BBC reports that she is named in the murder charge.

Stuart Hazell to appear in court today charged with Tia Sharp’s murder
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  • Tia Sharp death

    A policeman stands guard near Tia Sharp's grandmother's home in New Addington, Croydon. Max Nash/PA Wire
  • Tia Sharp death

    Flowers and messages are left on the school gates to Raynes Park High School in Merton, South London, where Tia Sharp was a pupil. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
  • Tia Sharp death

    Two mourners comfort each other at the makeshift shrine for Tia Sharp near her grandmother's home in New Addington, Croydon. Max Nash/PA Wire
  • Tia Sharp death

    A police tent erected outside the home of Christine Sharp on Friday.
  • Tia Sharp death

    A young girl views the flowers and messages laid near the scene in New Addington, Croydon, after a body was discovered at the home of missing Tia Sharp's grandmother Christine Sharp. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Read: Police admit human error caused delay in hunt for Tia Sharp’s body>

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