Stuart Hazell denies murdering Tia Sharp, 12
The man who is accused of murdering 12-year-old Tia Sharp has pleaded not guilty in court.
Hazell, 37, appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink from Belmarsh prison.
He pleaded not guilty to murdering Tia between 2 and 10 August, last year.
Hazell, of New Addington, south London, was remanded in custody to face trial at the same court on 7 May.
Tia’s body was found in the loft at the house of Christine Sharp a week after she was reported missing.
Her disappearance sparked searches by police and members of the public, but the body was missed when the attic was first searched.
Tia’s mother, Natalie Sharp, was in court with her partner, and Tia’s father, Stephen Carter, watched from the public gallery.
Hazell wore a black T-shirt and gold necklace. He leant forward as the clerk asked him to confirm his name.
The trial is expected to last two weeks.