The man accused of murdering 12-year-old Tia Sharp after sexually assaulting her has changed his plea to guilty.

Stuart Hazell, 37, the partner of Tia's grandmother, had claimed the girl died in an accident at their house in Croydon, south London, last year.

Tia was last seen alive at the house on 3 August and her body was found in the loft a week later.

Hazell said he changed his plea because Tia's family had "suffered enough". He will be sentenced on Tuesday.

He had claimed Tia was killed falling down the stairs and that he hid her body in panic.

Hazell has previous convictions for drug dealing, racially aggravated common assault, burglary and causing grievous bodily harm.

In a statement read to the court, Tia's mother Natalie Sharp said: "I gave the ultimate trust to Stuart.

"Sometimes I feel pity, that I want to hurt him, but I can never hurt him like he has hurt me.

"She was mine and no-one else's. I had someone to love."

Personally, I think this man is a monster, to kill an innocent girl? Who you were trusted with? Disgraceful! And the Police? Not checking their home first? That was an out rage too.
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