Stuart Hazell has admitted murdering schoolgirl Tia Sharp after dramatically changing his plea on the fifth day of his trial.

Hazell, 37, killed the 12-year-old Mitcham schoolgirl - his former partner's granddaughter – before stashing her body in the in the loft of the house he shared with her grandmother in the Lindens, New Addington.

Her body was found seven days later after a massive police search – in which Hazell took part.

Click here for real-time updates of what was said in court today.

Hazell even appeared on television making an emotional appeal for her to be found.

He had previously denied murdering the schoolgirl, claiming she had died in an accident falling down the stairs.

But this morning he dramatically changed his plea to guilty to murder.

The prosecution also alleged Tia had been sexually assaulted by Hazell.

During the trial, which began on Tuesday May 7, the jury were shown posed photographs thought to be Tia naked after she had been murdered.

Lord Carlile, representing Hazell, told the court: He (Hazell) wanted it to be known that he thinks Tia's family have suffered enough.

"He does not want to put them through any further stage in the process.”

Tia’s father, Stephen Carter, broke down in tears as Hazell pleaded guilty.