Tia Sharp murder: ‘Serious case review’ of Tia’s death

Published on 15/08/2012 01:18

A SERIOUS case review has been launched into the death of 12-year-old Tia Sharp.

The schoolgirl’s remains were found hidden at the home of her grandmother, Christine Sharp, in New Addington, south London, last Friday, more than a week after she was reported missing.

Stuart Hazell, 37, her grandmother’s partner, appeared in court on Monday charged with her murder.

Merton Council, which has responsibility for Mitcham, where Tia lived with her mother 
Natalie, said it was “standard procedure” to carry out a review.

Chief executive Ged Curran said: “The local safeguarding children board will now commission a serious case review, the standard procedure in a tragic case such as this. The review will be assisted by the police, health services and local authorities.”

Serious case reviews are carried out when a child has died, to look at the role played by local agencies in the life of that child and their family.

Hazell was remanded in custody after appearing by video link at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court. No plea was entered to the charge of murdering the youngster between 2 and 11 August. Hazell is due at the Old Bailey today.