The partner of Tia Sharp’s grandmother was today charged with the murder of the 12-year-old schoolgirl.
The partner of Tia Sharp’s grandmother was today charged with the murder of the 12-year-old schoolgirl.
Stuart Hazell, 37, was arrested in Merton on Friday after a member of the public alerted police to his whereabouts, and will appear before magistrates on Monday.
The arrest was made following the earlier discovery of a body in the house he shared with Tia’s grandmother Christine Sharp, a week after she was reported missing.
Sharp and a 39-year-old neighbour were also arrested but have been released on bail.
The police have faced criticism after failing to find the body, which has not yet been formally identified, during three earlier searches.
“An early review has been conducted and it is now clear that human error delayed the discovery of the body within the house,” said Area Commander Neil Basu, who was leading the investigation.
He apologised to Tia’s mother for this delay.
Over the weekend, flowers and candles have been left outside Tia’s house in Mitcham, as well as at the bottom of her grandmother’s street in New Addington.
A postmortem investigaton is to be continued this week.
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