Pic: Emma Jane Burgess

Stuart Hazell, the man accused of murdering 12-year-old Tia Sharp, has been handed a fixed trial date for May 7 at the Old Bailey.

Hazell was seen at the Old Bailey on January 18, appearing by videolink from Belmarsh prison, south London, for the brief hearing when he was informed when his trial would be.

The 37-year-old from New Addington, is charged with murdering the schoolgirl Sharp between August 2 and 11 last year. Hazell, the former partner of the schoolgirl’s grandmother Christine Sharp, 46, was remanded to a plea and case management hearing on March 8.

THE 12-year-old disappeared from her south London home in August last year before her body was later found at her grandmother’s home in New Addington a week after she was reported missing.

Eastlondonlines has been covering the case over the last five months.