Murder of Tia Sharp
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| Date | 3 August 2012 |
|---|---|
| Location | New Addington, London, England |
| Coordinates | 51°21′24″N 0°01′02″W / 51.356573°N 0.017293°W |
| Missing | Tia Sharp |
| Suspects | Stuart Hazell (37), Christine Sharp (46), Paul Meehan (39) |
| Charges | Murder (Hazell) |
Tia Sharp is a 12-year-old English schoolgirl, who disappeared from the home of her grandmother, Christine Sharp, in New Addington, South London, on 3 August 2012. Christine Sharp, and Stuart Hazell, Sharp's partner and former partner of Tia's mother, were arrested on suspicion of murder on 10 August 2012, following the discovery of a body in Sharp's house.[1]
Disappearance
Hazell told police that Tia had left the house to travel to Croydon, five miles away, to buy shoes in the Whitgift Centre.[2] On 7 August Tia's uncle, David Sharp, made a plea for Tia's safe return.[3][4] Fifty-five sightings were reported by members of the public, but none were substantiated.[5] Eighty police officers were assigned to the search, and 800 hours of CCTV footage were collected.[6]
Murder inquiry
On 10 August a body was discovered in Christine Sharp's home, reportedly in the loft, after police searched it for the fourth time.[7] [8] Police launched a search for Hazell, and later that day he was arrested on suspicion of murder, at Cannon Hill in Morden, South London, after a tip-off from a member of the public.[9] [10] It was later announced that two further arrests had been made: Christine Sharp on suspicion of murder, and her neighbour, Paul Meehan, on suspicion of helping an offender.[11][12][13]
Late in the evening of the following day, 11 August, Stuart Hazell was charged with the murder of Tia Sharp. He is to appear before a magistrate on Monday, 13 August. The cause of death has not been established, and the body has not formally been identified. A post-mortem was begun on 10 August and paused later that day. It is expected to recommence on 13 August. [14] [8][15]
Commander Neil Basu, the officer in charge of the investigation, apologised to Tia's mother for the delay in finding the body. He blamed human error and said that a review would be undertaken "to ensure such a failing is not repeated".[16][17]
References
- ^ Greenwood, Chris; Harding, Eleanor; Kelly, Tom (11 August 2012). Retrieved 11-08-12 "Grandmother among two more arrests in Tia Sharp murder inquiry day after step-grandad was seen buying vodka during eight-hour manhunt". Daily Mail. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check|url=value (help) - ^ "Stepfather's Agony Over Missing Tia Sharp". News.sky.com. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ "Missing Tia Sharp's uncle appeals for her safe return – video | UK news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ "BBC News – Tia Sharp: 'Find my little girl' urges stepfather". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-08-04. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ James Meikle and agencies. "Tia Sharp stepfather says family 'in bits' over missing London 12-year-old | UK news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
- ^ "Tia Sharp: Eighty officers in search for Croydon girl". BBC. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ "Tia Sharp: Grandmother Christine arrested over murder". BBC. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
- ^ a b "Tia Sharp murder: Stuart Hazell charged". The Guardian. 12 August 2012.
- ^ "Tia Sharp search: Body found in grandmother's house". BBC News. 2012-08-10. Retrieved 2012-08-10.
- ^ Barrett, David; Leach, Ben (11 August 2012). "Tia Sharp: police face questions after body discovered in grandmother's house". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- ^ "Tia Body Hunt: Met Police Apologise For Delay". Sky News. 11 August 2012.
- ^ "Tia Sharp: Grandmother Christine arrested over murder". BBC News. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- ^ "Tia Sharp's grandmother and her neighbour arrested". The Guardian. 11 August 2012.
- ^ "Tia Sharp: timeline of her disappearance". 12 August 2012.
{{cite news}}: Text "publisherThe Daily Telegraph" ignored (help) - ^ "Tia Sharp police charge Stuart Hazell with her murder". BBC News. 12 August 2012.
- ^ "Tia Sharp: Met Police admit body search error". Retrieved 2012-08-10.
- ^ "Tia Sharp: Grandmother Christine arrested over murder". BBC. Retrieved 2012-08-11.