Stuart Hazell, booked on the charge of murdering 12-year-old schoolgirl Tia Sharp in what looks like one of the greasiest crimes in recent times, is to appear before Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court in south London later today.

Hazell, 37, was arrested on Friday after Tia’s body was recovered by police from the loft of her grandma and Hazell’s partner Christine Sharp’s resident in New Addington. Tia’s body, which is yet to be formally identified through post-mortem examination, was found a week after she went missing.

Hazell was taken into custody in Merton eight hours after the girl’s body was found. He, along with Christine and her next-door neighbour Paul Meehan, was the initial suspect before investigating officers found compelling evidence to single out Hazell and grant bail to the other two persons.

Meanwhile, the deceased girl’s mother, Natalie Sharp, visited Christine’s home at Addington and was visibly distraught as she laid flowers at a temporarily built shrine near the place Tia’s body was found. She wept inconsolably, saying she could have protected Tia had she been there.

“Our baby girl. We love you very much. Always will. Sorry babe this never should have happened. I wish I was there to protect you. We know you’re safe now and you’re at home with us everywhere we go”, the Sharp family wrote in a note which was placed on the memorial.

The tragic death of Tia has left the entire local community in shock. The memorial site was flooded with flowers, teddies, candles and angel wings. One of the notes read: “Tia Heaven must have needed an (sic.) special angel that’s the only reason I can think why you were taken from this world. R. I. P.”

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