Tia Sharp murder: Stuart Hazell appears in court by video link

Published on 13/08/2012 11:13

STUART Hazell, the man accused of murdering schoolgirl Tia Sharp, was remanded to custody today after appearing at court.

• Stuart Hazell in custody over murder of Tia Sharp

• Schoolgirl’s body found a week after she went missing

• Accused to appear at Old Bailey on Wednesday

Hazell, 37, sounded emotional as he spoke to confirm his name and date of birth.

His voice cracked when he was asked to confirm his address, The Lindens, New Addington, south London, where Tia was found dead.

Hazell appeared from Sutton police station by video link at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court, south east London.

Hazell was dressed in a blue T-shirt and sat alone at a table with a policewoman standing behind him.

No plea was entered to the charge, which accuses him of murdering the youngster between August 2 and 11.

Her body was found on Friday, a week after she was reported missing and after a search was launched for her.

Hazell will appear at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, when there might be a bail application.

A further date for a preliminary hearing was recorded as November 19.

No relatives appeared at court today.

Hazell is the partner of Tia’s grandmother Christine Sharp, 46.

She was arrested on suspicion of murder but bailed yesterday pending further inquiries along with her next door neighbour Paul Meehan, 39, who was bailed on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Despite visiting the terraced property on several occasions, investigators only discovered Tia’s body on Friday evening.

Officers have apologised to Tia’s mother, Natalie Sharp, for the delay in locating her body.

Yesterday the grieving mother wept as she left a tribute to her daughter alongside hundreds of flowers and cards which carpet the pavement near the 46-year-old grandmother’s home.

A post-mortem examination on Tia’s body was paused on Saturday night and is expected to recommence this week.