Tia Sharp death: Merton Council to conduct serious case review

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

A south London council has announced it is to carry out a serious case review into the death of 12-year-old Tia Sharp.

Tia, who was reported missing on 3 August, was last seen alive at her grandmother Christine Sharp's council house on The Lindens estate in New Addington, Croydon.

On Friday a body was found at the home. Stuart Hazell, 37, of New Addington, has been charged with Tia's murder.

Merton Council says conducting the review is "standard procedure", done after the death of a child where abuse or neglect is known or suspected.

Although police are still waiting for formal identification of the body, the victim is named in the murder charge as Tia.

In a further development today, it emerged that Tia may have been smothered before her body was wrapped in a bed sheet and bin liner and hidden in a loft space of the property.

The details emerged after Mr Hazell was remanded in custody after appearing at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court via video-link from Sutton police station. No plea was entered.

Mr Hazell is due to appear at the Old Bailey tomorrow (Wednesday), with a further date for a preliminary hearing set for 19 November.

Christine Sharp, 46, who was arrested on suspicion of murder, and a 39-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, have both been bailed to return to a south London police station in October.

Serious case reviews, undertaken by Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs), examine the role of local agencies - including social services - in the welfare of the child who has died and their family.

Ged Curran, Chief Executive of Merton Council, said: "Our thoughts and condolences go out to all those who knew Tia.

"The Local Safeguarding Children Board will now commission a serious case review, the standard procedure in a tragic case such as this.

"The review will be assisted by the police, health services and local authorities."