Stuart Hazell pleads guilty to murdering Tia Sharp

Gasps in courtroom as 37-year-old changes plea and confesses to murder of schoolgirl found in attic

CROYDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08:Stuart Hazell, step-grandfather of missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp is led away from his partners house by police on August 8, 2012 in New Addington, England. Tia has
(Image credit: 2012 Getty Images)

STUART HAZELL, the man accused of murdering 12-year-old schoolgirl Tia Sharp, changed his plea to guilty today on the fifth day of his trial at the Old Bailey.

The 37-year-old's "dramatic admission of guilt" provoked gasps from the public gallery and caused Sharp's father, Steve Carter, to break down in tears, reports the Daily Telegraph. Hazell hung his head in the dock as jurors were asked to formally find him guilty. As he was led away to the cells to await sentence, there were shouts of 'chicken' from the gallery.

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