Tia Sharp's Mum To Face Race Attack Trial

The mother and grandmother of murdered schoolgirl Tia Sharp are to stand trial over an alleged attack in a supermarket carpark.

Tia's Mum, Natalie Sharp, has been charged with racially aggravated common assault.

The 33-year-old is accused of shouting at a woman at a Lidl superstore in Wallington, south London, on 18 April.

She is said to have left the woman with bruises, after allegedly pushing her in the face.

Tia's grandmother Christine Bicknell, 49, is accused of a racially aggravated public order offence over alleged racist comments.

Both pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on Tuesday.

They were released on bail after electing to have their case sent to Crown Court for trial.

They are due to appear at Croydon Crown Court on 18 August.

Bicknell's former partner Stuart Hazell is serving a life sentence for 12-year-old Tia's murder.

Described in court as "a sparky girl who was full of life", Tia was murdered and her body hidden in the loft of her grandmother's Croydon home in August 2012.

By the time it was discovered, it was so badly decomposed that it was impossible to ascertain the cause of death.