Tia: Stuart Hazell To Appear In Court

Stuart Hazell will appear in court today charged with the murder of 12-year-old schoolgirl Tia Sharp.

The 37-year-old, who is the boyfriend of Tia's grandmother, will appear via video link before magistrates in Camberwell Green, south London.

Tia was reported missing on August 3. Her body, which has not yet been formally identified, was found at the home of her grandmother Christine Sharp, in New Addington, Croydon, on Friday.

Sharp, 46, has been released on bail following her arrest on suspicion of murder, Scotland Yard said.

Officers have also freed Sharp's next-door neighbour on bail pending further inquiries. Paul Meehan, 39, was detained by detectives on suspicion of assisting an offender.

After Tia was reported missing 10 days ago a massive search was launched involving more than 80 police officers, along with members of the local community.

Despite searching the grandmother's terraced property four times, police only found the body on Friday.

After their discovery, Hazell, who was previously interviewed as a potential witness, became the subject of a manhunt.

He was arrested hours later in Merton, south London, after he was apparently spotted by a schoolgirl who saw him buying alcohol in an off-licence.

Officers have apologised to Tia's mother, Natalie Sharp, for the delay in not finding her body sooner and conceded mistakes were made.

Yesterday, Tia's mother wept as she left a tribute to her daughter alongside hundreds of flowers, teddy bears, candles and cards which carpet the pavement near her grandmother's home.

A note believed to have been left by Ms Sharp, 30, read: "Our baby girl, we love you very much and always will.

"Sorry baby that this has happened, I wish I was there to protect you. We know you are safe now and you are at home with us everywhere we go. Love you, mum, dad, Jack and Harry. XXX".

Neighbours have spoken of their anger after spending days searching for the girl.

Dale Robertson, 44, said: "There's a mixture of anger and heartbreak. People feel aggrieved. Even people who couldn't get out on the searches have posted up on Facebook that they are angry and they were duped."

It remains unclear how Tia died. A post-mortem examination on the body was paused on Saturday night and is expected to recommence this week.