Murder of Tia Sharp

Tia Sharp
Born
Tia Christine Sharp[1]

(2000-06-30)30 June 2000[2]
Croydon, London, United Kingdom[2]
Disappeared2 August 2012 (aged 12)
New Addington, London, United Kingdom
Died3 August 2012 (aged 12)
New Addington, South London, United Kingdom
Cause of deathHomicide of undetermined aetiology
Body discoveredNew Addington, South London, United Kingdom
Resting placeMerton and Sutton Joint Cemetery
Morden, London Borough of Merton, United Kingdom
Known forMurder victim
Parents
  • Steven Carter (father)
  • Natalie Sharp (mother)
Stuart Hazell
Born
Stuart Edward Hazell[3]

(1975-05-26) 26 May 1975 (age 49)[3]
NationalityBritish
Criminal statusIn prison
Conviction(s)Murder
Criminal chargeMurder
PenaltyLife imprisonment (38-year minimum term)
Date apprehended
10 August 2012
Imprisoned atHM Prison Belmarsh
HM Prison Wakefield[citation needed]

The murder of Tia Sharp (30 June 2000 – 3 August 2012) was a high-profile case of child murder in the United Kingdom. The victim was a 12-year-old girl, Tia Sharp, who was reported missing from and later found dead at her grandmother's home in New Addington, London, in August 2012.[4][5] After her body was discovered, police arrested her grandmother, Christine Bicknell, and Bicknell's then-boyfriend, Stuart Hazell,[6][7] on suspicion of murder. Hazell was charged with Tia's murder on 12 August.[8]

Five days into his trial at the Old Bailey in May 2013, Hazell changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with the judge setting a minimum term of 38 years.[9]

  1. ^ "Search Results for England & Wales Births 1837-2006". findmypast.co.uk. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b "The murder of Tia Sharp". crimeandinvestigation.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Missing: The murder of Tia Sharp". murdermap.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  4. ^ "Tia Sharp: Police concern over missing girl". Bbc.co.uk. 4 August 2012. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Tia Sharp search: Body found in grandmother's house". Bbc.co.uk. 10 August 2012. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Tia Sharp: Grandmother Christine arrested over murder". BBC.co.uk. 11 August 2012. Archived from the original on 11 August 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Tia Sharp police arrest Stuart Hazell on suspicion of murder". Bbc.co.uk. 10 August 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Tia Sharp police charge Stuart Hazell with her murder". BBC News. 12 August 2012. Archived from the original on 10 September 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Tia Sharp Murder: Stuart Hazell Sentenced". Sky News. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.