Tia Sharp death: Stuart Hazell denies murder
- Published
A man accused of murdering 12-year-old Tia Sharp in south London has pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey.
Stuart Hazell, 38, appeared for the court hearing via videolink from Belmarsh Prison.
Tia was reported missing on 3 August and was last seen at the house of Mr Hazell's partner Christine Sharp, Tia's grandmother, in New Addington, Croydon.
Her body was found at her grandmother's house a week later. Mr Hazell will face a trial on 7 May.
Tia's mother Natalie Sharp, her stepfather David Niles and her father Steven Carter watched proceedings in court.
Mr Hazell, of New Addington, was accused of murdering Tia between 2 and 10 August.
Hundreds of people from the local community joined police in the search of the area during the week that Tia was missing.