This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-22482782
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Tia Sharp trial: Stuart Hazell letter read to court | Tia Sharp trial: Stuart Hazell letter read to court |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The man accused of murdering Tia Sharp wrote to his father that he had made "one mistake" and his "whole world collapsed", his trial has heard. | The man accused of murdering Tia Sharp wrote to his father that he had made "one mistake" and his "whole world collapsed", his trial has heard. |
Stuart Hazell is accused of murdering 12-year-old Tia before putting her body in the loft of the south London home he shared with her grandmother. | Stuart Hazell is accused of murdering 12-year-old Tia before putting her body in the loft of the south London home he shared with her grandmother. |
The letter, written in prison, was topped with the words "forgive me" and a sad face, the Old Bailey heard. | The letter, written in prison, was topped with the words "forgive me" and a sad face, the Old Bailey heard. |
Mr Hazell, 37, denies murder and sexual assault. | Mr Hazell, 37, denies murder and sexual assault. |
He claims Tia died in an accident and he hid her body in panic. | He claims Tia died in an accident and he hid her body in panic. |
Mr Hazell wrote to his father Keith from Belmarsh prison in August last year and the note was intercepted by prison staff. | Mr Hazell wrote to his father Keith from Belmarsh prison in August last year and the note was intercepted by prison staff. |
'God have mercy' | 'God have mercy' |
The letter read: "What happened I will explain in time, but put it this way, it was an accident and I panicked. | The letter read: "What happened I will explain in time, but put it this way, it was an accident and I panicked. |
"Stupid I know but for my stupidity I'm looking at 15 to 18 years. I regret it every second of every day. | "Stupid I know but for my stupidity I'm looking at 15 to 18 years. I regret it every second of every day. |
"I think about ending my life because if I don't someone will, that's definite." | "I think about ending my life because if I don't someone will, that's definite." |
The letter went on: "God I hate myself. I should have gone about this a different way, told the police everything. | The letter went on: "God I hate myself. I should have gone about this a different way, told the police everything. |
"They're trying to say it was sexual but I promise you it wasn't. | "They're trying to say it was sexual but I promise you it wasn't. |
"May God have mercy on my soul even though I don't deserve it." | "May God have mercy on my soul even though I don't deserve it." |
Forensic scientist Daniel Beaumont told the court a "small, heavy" stain of Tia's blood was found on a belt belonging to Mr Hazell. | |
A second stain on the belt contained the DNA of at least three people, but mainly that of Mr Hazell and Tia, he said. | |
The court also heard how the accused was seen in a CCTV clip in a convenience store in Morden, south London, as police were looking for him. | |
Prasanna Jayakumar said he looked "emotional" and "struggling to cope" when he came into her shop to buy a half-bottle of vodka on two occasions. | Prasanna Jayakumar said he looked "emotional" and "struggling to cope" when he came into her shop to buy a half-bottle of vodka on two occasions. |
Mr Hazell said he was looking for his granddaughter. | |
Ms Jayakumar said: "He was asking me to help him find her, and if I saw or heard anything to tell him and let him know." | Ms Jayakumar said: "He was asking me to help him find her, and if I saw or heard anything to tell him and let him know." |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |