Stuart Hazell changes plea in Tia Sharp murder trial
Stuart Hazell admits murdering 12-year-old Tia Sharp on the fifth day of his trial at the Old Bailey, having previously denied the charge.
A senior police officer involved in the investigation said Hazell realised he had no choice but to plead guilty to murdering Tia in August 2012 because of the ‘overwhelming’ evidence.
DCI Nick Scola said: “Tia was murdered by a man who had gained the trust of Tia’s family and who, on that day, was tasked with looking after her whilst her grandmother was at work. Hazell abused that position of trust by planning an assault on Tia that ultimately led to her murder.”
“Hazell is an extremely dangerous individual who poses a significant threat to young girls and it is only right that he should be imprisoned and removed from society so that he can no longer pose any risk.”
“I would like to pay tribute to Tia’s family for showing such courage and stamina throughout this horrendous ordeal – from the time of the murder through to the conviction – and I truly hope they can move forward with their lives in the knowledge that Hazell will now pay for his crime.
In a victim impact statement, Tia’s mother Natalie Sharp described the abuse she had received since Tia’s death. “People have said the most terrible things about me as a mother and Tia’s life.
“I can’t understand how people who know nothing about somebody can send such awful messages.
“I’ve been stared at and physically attacked and I know people judge me when they see me buying something nice for my sons.”
Meanwhile Tia’s father Steven Carter said he and other family members had stopped their children from going out to play because “we fear of (sic) something happening”.
Speaking outside the coutry Mr Carter said Stuart Hazell should “serve his time and be hung”.
Hazell had originally denied the killing, claiming that Tia died in an accident and he panicked and hid her body.
But on Monday morning, he dramatically changed his plea. Lord Carlile, who was representing Hazell, said his client wanted to make it known that “Tia’s family have suffered enough and he did not want to put them through any further stages of this trial or this process”.
Hazell, wearing a washed-out grey T-shirt, leaned forward as Lord Carlile asked for the charge to be put again. He clutched his hands in front of him and there was a slight pause when he was asked to plead. And then he said “guilty” as gasps from the public gallery rang around the courtroom.
Mr Carter, broke down in tears as Hazell changed his plea.
The development came after four days of graphic evidence during which Tia’s mother, Natalie Sharp, frequently had to leave the courtroom, visibly distressed.
The prosecution case included a grotesque photograph of a girl alleged to be Tia after she died.
In the shot, a naked girl, whose face cannot be seen, is posed on all fours on a bed.
Before the sentencing the court heard that Hazell had a number of previous convictions.
These included convictions for racially aggravated common assault in 2002, dealing cocaine in 2003 and possession of a machete in a public place in 2010, for which he was jailed for 12 months.
He also had convictions for burglary and theft.
Sentencing is expected on Tuesday morning.
