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Savile Police Arrest Man, 65, In South London

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 05 Februari 2013 | 23.17

Police investigating allegations linked to Jimmy Savile and others have arrested a 65-year-old on suspicion of sexual offences.

The unnamed man was detained at a house in South London.

The allegations are not directly related to any of Savile's offences, police said.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "He falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed 'others'. We are not prepared to discuss the matter further."

Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation, called Operation Yewtree, into allegations against disgraced television presenter Savile and a number of other high-profile figures.

They have separated the inquiry into three strands: claims against Savile, those involving Savile and others and those involving others.

Most of the allegations relating to "others" have been made against people associated with the entertainment industry, including ex-glam rocker Gary Glitter and comedian Freddie Starr.

So far, 589 people have come forward with information relating to the scandal, with 450 saying they were sexually abused by former Top Of The Pops presenter Savile.

Of those making complaints about the late DJ, 73% were children at the time of the alleged offences.

A report released last month revealed that Savile's victims included an eight-year-old boy and children who were seriously ill.

Branded one of the UK's most prolific known sexual predators, Savile now has 214 criminal offences recorded against his name, including 34 rapes.


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Internet Safety A 'Major Child Protection Issue'

Keeping youngsters safe online is one of the biggest child protection issues of the modern world, campaigners have warned.

Children should be given lessons in how to use the internet safely from as young as five or six.

The call comes amid concerns rising numbers of youngsters are being exposed to online pornography, cyberbullying and forced into sending indecent images to others.

According to the NSPCC, young people are now experiencing new forms of abuse "on a scale never before seen".

The charity said its latest research had found that abuse through mobile phones and the internet is one of the major issues facing young people today.

In total, ChildLine conducted around 3,745 counselling sessions last year over these issues, with a further 250 contacts from children who said they were being "groomed" online.

There was also an increase in calls about online pornography, with some from children as young as 11, the NSPCC said.

It added that previous research had shown many teenagers see "sexting" and hardcore pornography as the norm, with some describing it as "mundane", and some had been blackmailed or coerced into sending indecent images of themselves to strangers or other youngsters.

The NSPCC is calling for all schools to provide age-appropriate lessons in online safety, with pupils themselves sharing advice on how to stay safe.

Smartphones Safer Internet Day promotes online and mobile phone safety

It also says parents should have access to information to talk to their children about using the internet as they would drugs or the danger of strangers.

The call comes on Safer Internet Day, which promotes the responsible use of online technology and mobile phones for children and young people.

Claire Lilley, from the NSPCC, said: "Young people tell us they are experiencing all sorts of new forms of abuse on a scale never before seen. It's now clear that we are facing an e-safety timebomb, with this being one of the biggest child protection issues of our time."

More than two in five (41%) of those aged 11 to 19, and over a quarter (27%) of those aged seven to 11 have seen something online in the past 12 months that they found hurtful or unpleasant, according to a separate survey commissioned by the UK Safer Internet Centre.

This could include a scary video or pictures, rude images or words and swearing and violent films or games.

The Have Your Say study, which questioned around 24,000 schoolchildren, found that a third (31%) of seven to 11-year-olds and 23% of 11-19-year-olds said that gossip or mean comments online had stopped them from enjoying using the internet.

The poll also found that more than half (57%) of primary school children and 63% of those at secondary school say they want the right to feel safe online.


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Richard III: King's Face Is Revealed

The face of King Richard III has been unveiled to the world after a skeleton found under a council car park was confirmed as that of the 15th century king.

A facial reconstruction of the monarch has been released by the Richard III Society after it was confirmed that a skeleton unearthed in Leicester was that of the king who died in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

The image is based on a CT scan taken by experts at the University of Leicester, who discovered the king's skeleton during an archaeological dig last September with the help of the society.

Archaeologists in Richard III dig The skeleton was found in the remains of the choir of the Greyfriars church

King Richard III's skeleton was found in the remains of the choir of the Greyfriars church, which now lies under a social services car park in the city.

The facial reconstruction was unveiled at The Society of Antiquaries at Burlington House in Piccadilly, London.

Richard III The earliest surviving portrait of Richard III

Researchers said they had concluded "beyond reasonable doubt" that the skeleton, which showed evidence of an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, was the monarch.

DNA samples from Michael Ibsen - a Canadian-born furniture maker who is a direct descendant of Richard's sister, Anne of York - provided further certainty.

A stone plaque incorrectly claiming to mark the spot where the remains of King Richard III lie near Leicester Catherdral This plaque near Leicester Catherdral has been proved incorrect

The skeleton, with severe trauma to the skull, was unearthed on the first day of a three-week dig at the site of what is believed to have been the choir of Greyfriars Church.

Historical records show the long-lost church was the burial site of the monarch, following his brutal death at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

The remains were found in good condition - with feet missing - at a depth of 68cm. The hand were crossed over the front of the pelvis and there was no evidence of a coffin or shroud found.

The king's remains will now be reinterred at Leicester Cathedral, the nearest consecrated ground, in keeping with archaeological practice.

Shakespeare portrayed Richard III as a hunchbacked tyrant but modern historians argue that the king was the victim of Tudor propaganda.

Canadian-born furniture-maker Michael Ibsen, a direct descendant of the eldest sister of medieval British King Richard III Michael Ibsen helped identify his ancestor

His brief reign from 1483 saw liberal reforms, including the introduction of the right to bail and the lifting of restrictions on books and printing presses.

Richard III was the last Plantagenet monarch, a Yorkist defeated by Henry Tudor, who became Henry VII.


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Huhne's Ex-Wife Declared 'I Want To Nail Him'

Chris Huhne's wife revealed to the press that she had taken his speeding points in revenge for his affair with another woman, a court has heard.

Vicky Pryce was warned by a journalist that the revelation would inflict "maximum and perhaps fatal damage" on the senior Liberal Democrat.

But the economist and mother of three replied: "I have no doubt as I definitely want to nail him. More than ever actually and I would like to do it soon."

The declaration was contained in an email between Pryce, a former government adviser, and Isabel Oakeshott, a reporter for The Sunday Times.

Their exchanges before the story broke were revealed on the first day of Pryce's trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.

The case went ahead 24 hours after Huhne pleaded guilty to lying to police about the speeding offence, which was committed in 2003.

After repeated denials, the former energy secretary finally admitted his then wife had taken the points for him so he could avoid prosecution.

Huhne has now officially resigned as an MP after switching his plea to guilty and being warned he faces a likely prison sentence.

Pryce denies perverting the course of justice, claiming she was coerced into taking the points, and is now being tried alone.

Chris Huhne and Carina Trimingham Chris Huhne and girlfriend Carina Trimingham leaving court on Monday

Prosecutor Andrew Edis QC said the points swap came to light only in 2011 because the defendant had wanted to ruin her former husband's career.

The jury heard she was furious after Huhne abruptly ended their 26-year marriage and left her for PR consultant Carina Trimingham.

Pryce was told the bombshell news of the MP's affair - and that he had been rumbled by the press - as she watched a World Cup football match.

A year later, in March 2011, she tipped off the Sunday Times about their points swap and started considering the best way to destroy her ex via the press.

"Her revenge in the end was to pass the story of the 2003 points to the newspaper so they would publish it and destroy his political career," Mr Edis said. "It was Pryce's plan that she would get her revenge by putting an end to all that.

"She would publish what she and he had done together without complaint in 2003 so she would get her revenge for the undoubtedly very bad way he had treated her."

Ms Oakeshott recommended that the paper ran several pieces, including a front page story and news features.

"This is what I strongly recommend you do, given your dual objectives of bringing Chris down ... without seriously damaging your own reputation in the process," she said.

She later warned about the risk of criminal proceedings, after which Pryce wrote: "I would need some reassurance that it would bring Chris down."

Ms Oakeshott replied: "The bottom line is that this story will bring Chris down if you are prepared to go on the record, with the minor risk this carries.

"I think you can make yourself out to be very much the honourable one, saying it has very much been on your conscience ever since, saying you knew it was wrong but you were bullied into it."

Attempts by Pryce and the newspaper to elicit a confession from Huhne by recording phone calls were played to the court.

The jury heard the politician urging his ex-wife to "stop telling ridiculous stories" and "maliciously briefing the press" in a bid to blacken his name.

Pryce, at times angry and swearing as the MP continues to deny the crime, insisted she was not behind the newspaper speculation.

"Why would I tell anyone about me taking your points? It's not in my interests. Are you a moron?", she said.

Huhne repeatedly warned her not to talk to journalists and said the story would not come out if they do not "stand it up".

During the calls, Pryce also made several digs at Huhne's new partner Ms Trimingham, calling her "your f****** man".

In the four conversations, she told Huhne she did not want to "perjure" herself by denying the story, saying: "It's one of the things that always worried me when you made me take them in the first place."

Mr Edis said: "You might come to the conclusion that these telephone calls are two manipulative people trying unsuccessfully to manipulate each other."

The QC explained that the marital coercion defence could only apply if Pryce was made to feel that she had no choice but to take the points.

He said the jury would have to decide whether she was "weak-minded" and forced to help her husband, or a "strong-minded and manipulative" woman acting of her own free will.

"From the emails, she is certainly quite a subtle, clever person," he said.

He also pointed out that, in 2003, Pryce was a very senior civil servant and an economist with a good career in her own right who was free to support herself if her marriage ended.

The case has now been adjourned and will resume on Thursday.


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One Million Dollar Bionic Man Makes Its Debut

A million-dollar bionic man - complete with artificial organs, synthetic blood and robot limbs - is set to go on display at the Science Museum in central London.

Costing almost £640,000 ($1m), it is cheaper than the Six Million Dollar Man from the cult 1970s TV series, but the 6ft 6in (2m) humanoid nonetheless has a lot in common with the screen version.

The artificial man was assembled by a team of leading robotics experts for a new Channel 4 documentary, How To Build A Bionic Man.

It incorporates some of the latest advances in mechanical limbs, as well as an artificial pancreas, kidney, spleen and trachea, and a functional blood circulatory system.

Million dollar bionic man on show The bionic man with robotics expert Rich Walker (L)

The man's head features a pair of retinal implants behind his brown irises, to allow him to sense objects in front of him, cochlear implants to allow him to hear and is covered with artificial skin.

He even has artificial intelligence and a speech synthesis system allowing him to understand simple statements and respond to questions.

The finished "man" can walk and talk, and apparently says his name is Rex and informs people that he likes Ralph Lauren and rap music.

Lee Majors in 'The Six Million Dollar Man' Lee Majors played The Six Million Dollar Man in the US TV show

All of his components could theoretically be welded to a human body to replace missing or worn out parts.

The aim was to show how close medicine has got to what seemed like pure science fiction only a couple of decades ago.

Although the bionic man was built for Channel 4, it is going on display at the Science Museum to allow people to see close up how quickly the science of bionics is progressing.

Clare Matterson, of the Wellcome Trust, which is supporting the exhibition, said: "Throughout history people have always sought to enhance themselves to overcome disabilities or to become 'bigger, better, stronger and faster'.

"Science is making aspirations and even fantasy ever more possible. We only have to look back at last summer's Paralympics to see how transforming technology has become."

The 1970s show The Six Million Dollar Man featured a former astronaut whose body was largely rebuilt with artificial parts after he suffered a near-death accident.

Lee Majors played Colonel Steve Austin, whose bionic left eye allowed him to see miles into the distance. His bionic left arm allowed him to lift bulldozers and his bionic legs allowed him to run at 90mph. The show's catchphrase was: "We can rebuild him."

The Science Museum exhibit opens on Thursday and aims to explore how perceptions of human identity change as progress is made in bionics.


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Rebecca Adlington Announces 'Retirement'

The double Olympic Champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington has officially announced her retirement from the sport at the age of 23.

Speaking at a press conference in London, Adlington, whose career has brought her Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles, says she no longer has what it takes to compete with younger swimmers.

She said: "I can't do the same level of work, I need far more time for recovery.

"It's time. Beijing changed my entire life, everyone wanted to learn about me. It was the best moment of my entire career.

"I am so glad my world record still stands."

Rebecca Adlington Adlington after finishing third in the 800m final at London 2012

Success in the pool at London 2012 was dominated by the young. The Chinese swimmer, Ye Shiwen, astonished the sport with her freestyle comeback in the 400m individual medley to take the gold at the age of just 16. She was faster than the men's winner Ryan Lochte.

Adlington herself finished third in the 800m freestyle behind 15-year-old US swimmer Katie Ledecky.

Speculation over Adlington's future has been rife since she missed out on golds in the 400m and 800m freestyle events at London 2012, apologising to the home crowd for doing so despite winning two bronze medals.

London 2012 Olympics Pool Twitter Camera - Rebecca Adlington swimming Adlington in action

She confirmed shortly afterwards that she would not be competing at Rio in 2016.

Speaking today, she said: "I hate the word retire. I love swimming but as a competitive element and elite athlete I won't compete any more.

"I'll always be swimming even when I am 90 years old."

Swimming is a sport where competitors reach their peak at a young age. The American swimmer Michael Phelps, has enjoyed a long career but he also retired this year at the age of 27, drawing a close to a career that saw him win 18 Olympic golds, 22 Olympic medals in all.

pg-olympic-medal-adlington4 Victory in the pool in Beijing in 2008

Phelps was one of the first to congratulate Adlington on her retirement and wish her luck for the future.

In a statement he said: "Her accomplishments speak for themselves, she has been a great representative for British Swimming and the sport over all. I congratulate her on a fantastic career and wish her all the best in the future."

Adlington has now set her sights on teaching young people to swim and in a message on her personal website says that while she is proud of what she has achieved, she's "not finished yet".

Rebecca Adlington's golden shoes Shoe-lover Adlington received gold Jimmy Choos after her 2008 victory

She said: "My vision is that every child in Britain will be able to swim 25 metres by the time they leave primary school. Being able to swim is such a wonderful life skill, and I see this as my greatest challenge in swimming."

Her retirement statement came 24 hours after her coach since the age of 12, Bill Furniss was announced as the new Great Britain coach.

She paid tribute to him and said he was "going to do such a brilliant job".


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Gay Marriage: Tories Braced For Vote Split

Culture Secretary Maria Miller has insisted that allowing gay marriage will make Britain fairer as the plans threaten to spark a Tory civil war.

Mrs Miller told MPs at the start of a Commons debate that the Government's plans would protect freedom of faith and extend equality to gay couples.

"Suggestions that this Bill changes something that has remained unchanged for centuries simply does not recognise the road that marriage has travelled as an institution," she said.

She also played down claims that churches refusing to hold gay weddings could face legal action, calling the prospect of a challenge from the European Court of Human Rights "simply inconceivable".

"This Bill is about one thing. It is about fairness, it is about giving those who want to get married the opportunity to do so whilst protecting the rights of those who don't agree with same-sex marriage," she said.

"Marriage is one of the most important institutions we have, it binds society and families together, it is a building block that promotes stability. This Bill supports and cultivates marriage."

Culture Secretary Maria Miller Equalities minister Maria Miller has pledged a 'fair approach' to marriage

But former coalition minister Sir Gerald Howarth claimed the Government had no mandate for such "massive social and cultural change".

"There are many major issues this country has to deal with. This is an irrelevance," he said.

And DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds claimed the proposals, which cover England and Wales, were about "low political calculation" and aimed at "detoxifying" the Tory party.

Iain Dale Tory activist Iain Dale claims several 'closet gays' will vote against

More than 100 Conservative MPs are expected to defy the Prime Minister and vote against the bitterly controversial Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill later today.

There is also anger at the decision to whip a vote on the timetable for the Bill, with many backbenchers believing it should be scrutinised by the House rather than a committee of MPs.

In a last-ditch appeal, William Hague, George Osborne and Theresa May joined forces, writing an open letter insisting it "is the right thing do do at the right time".

The three most senior Tories in the Cabinet questioned whether it was "any longer acceptable to exclude people from marriage simply because they love someone of the same sex".

The legislation will get a second reading with Labour and Liberal Democrat support but it is possible that more than half the Tories' 305 MPs could vote against it.

This would be hugely damaging for the Prime Minister, coming amid a febrile atmosphere of plotting against him and claims that hundreds of Tory activists are deserting the party in protest.

New poll results also show that that the issue threatens to drive voters away from the Tories.

Warren Hartley and Kieran Bohan sign the Schedule of Civil Partnership at Ullet Unitarian Church in Liverpool The Bill would allow couples to convert civil-partnerships into marriage

A YouGov survey for The Sun put Labour ahead by 15 points with the Tories on 30%.

In a separate ComRes poll for ITV News, more than a third - 34% - said the move made the Conservatives less attractive to them as voters. Only 15% said it made the party more appealing.

All three major parties have allowed a free vote on the Bill. Around 20 Labour MPs, a few Lib Dems and the Democratic Unionist Party's MPs are also expected to vote against.

But the Tories are potentially even more divided on gay marriage than they are on Europe, with party activists as well as Conservative MPs publicly clashing over the proposals to allow same sex couples to marry.

At least two members of the Cabinet, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and Welsh Secretary David Jones, are expected to oppose the proposals.

Ed Miliband and Ed Balls Labour's Ed Miliband and Ed Balls will vote in favour of the bill

Two more, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, may abstain.

In a bizarre twist ahead of the vote, gay political commentator Iain Dale claimed that the Tories threatening to vote against the Bill include several "closet-case gays" including "two supposedly heterosexual MPs who I know to be conducting gay affairs".

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling backed the Bill, telling gay magazine Attitude: "Changing a law has never automatically changed someone's opinion or belief, but a change in law can result in a more supportive and protective environment.

"The Government's proposals on the recognition of gay marriage are a sensible next step in that evolution. They make it clear that the attitudes of today's generations are very different to those of the past.

"Of course we need to protect the right of the individual to have a conscience and of religious institutions to follow their own path. But that does not mean that the state has to do the same."

And in a fightback against the Bill's critics, the Conservative Party's most senior volunteer, Paul Swaddle, the president of the National Convention, was one of more than 50 senior figures who signed a letter backing the reforms.

"By opposing gay marriage outright, we risk alienating the voters we will need in 2015," the letter said. "To win, the Conservative Party must mount a broad appeal. We urge our MPs to listen to the wider views of their electorate as they decide how to vote."

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat MP John Pugh broke ranks and declared that he intended to vote against gay marriage, insisting there was a "good liberal case" against the move.

In an open letter to constituents, he said his fundamental objection was that the legislation "achieves none of its objectives and weakens the link between marriage and the family".

Labour leader Ed Miliband said he would "proudly" vote in favour and would actively urge his MPs to join him in making "an important step forward in the fight for equality in Britain".

And shadow chancellor Ed Balls admitted he admired the Prime Minister for proposing same sex marriage.

"I think it's brave and he's divided his party in quite a deep way," Mr Balls told ITV's Agenda. "It's not clear why from a Conservative Party point of view he's chosen to do this.

"The economy's in a mess, we need a jobs plan and he's chosen this issue. But in 50 years time we'll look back and say, 'Did we really have a debate where we said your sexuality will decide whether you could get married or not?"'


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Snow Falls Again As Wintry Weather Returns

Fresh snowfalls and gale force winds are again causing disruption in parts of the UK, just weeks after severe weather caused transport problems and closed hundreds of schools.

A band of snow, which hit Scotland on Tuesday morning, is expected to continue moving down the country and is predicted to reach East Anglia before the end of the day.

Falls of up to 10cm (3.94in) were expected in places by this afternoon, along with 60 to 70mph winds.

Earlier Tuesday, the snow caused gridlock in northern parts of the country, with traffic in Sheffield reduced to a standstill.

Sky North of England Correspondent Mike McCarthy said the city was brought to an "absolutely grinding halt" for a number of hours.

"Just before rush hour, the rain came very heavily and washed away the grit. That then froze on the ground and then there were very sodden and intense blizzards in Sheffield," he said.

McCarthy said it was a very difficult time for people trying to get to work.

"Hundreds of people were stuck in the snow. Journeys that would normally take half an hour took between two and three hours."

He added schools in Sheffield closed or opened late because of the snow.

winter weather Snow showers cover Selkirk in the Borders and Southern Scotland

To the northwest, Manchester Airport was forced to suspend runway operations for a period on Tuesday morning to clear snow.

Two flights were cancelled, while another was diverted to Liverpool, as flurries made their way south.

The snow is also expected to hit the South East later in the day but is more likely to fall as rain in London. Strong winds mean blizzards are likely.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning - to "be aware" - for severe weather in large parts of the country.

The Highways Agency has urged caution on the roads but said motorways and A-roads were running well.

A spokesman said the A628 Woodhead Pass, in Derbyshire, was closed following visibility problems.

The cold weather is expected to cling on during the next few days with temperatures dipping to -4C overnight.

Snow showers are expected to ease off in many regions on Wednesday, largely affecting the North Sea coastal areas and the western fringes of England and Wales. They are likely to stay put over Scotland all week.

Wintry conditions brought parts of the country to a standstill at the end of January.

Hundreds of drivers were forced to spend the night in their cars on the M6 in Lancashire after more than a foot of snow fell.

The cold snap was followed by widespread floods caused by melting snow and heavy rain.


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Kate Back To Duties As Pregnancy Progresses

By Paul Harrison, Royal Correspondent

The Duchess of Cambridge is to meet women recovering from substance abuse at a project in London, St James' Palace has announced.

The Duchess' aides said: "The Action on Addiction programme at Hope House offers a safe, secure and comfortable place for women to recover from substance dependence and receive additional support for other compulsive disorders."

"Her Royal Highness will meet clients and staff at the 23-bed residential treatment centre."

When she visits the project on February 19, Kate will be approaching the half-way mark of her pregnancy.

At 19 weeks it would be possible for William and Kate to discover the sex of their baby.

Approaching 20 weeks, an unborn child's ears and eyes, which will be closed, are in their final position and the mother may feel movement in her stomach.

Kate's last public engagement was to the National Portrait Gallery in January where, alongside Prince William, she unveiled her first official portrait.

Kate selected Action on Addiction as one of her first patronages, alongside East Anglia's Children's Hospices, The Art Room and the National Portrait Gallery.

She also chose to become a volunteer in the Scout Association.

On Valentine's Day last year Kate travelled to an Action on Addiction project to meet recovering alcoholics at a dry bar in Liverpool.

It was one of the Duchess' first solo engagements, conducted while Prince William was working in the Falkland Islands as a search and rescue pilot.

Weeks earlier the Duchess had privately visited the headquarters on Action on Addiction to gain an in depth understanding of the charity's work.

The 12-24 week programme at Hope House is for women aged 18 or over who have undergone detoxification and first stage treatment.

During the programme, clients participate in daily groups and workshops where they share experiences, as well as one-to-one counselling in private therapy rooms.


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Tia Sharp: Neighbour Charged Over Murder Hunt

A neighbour of the grandmother of murdered schoolgirl Tia Sharp has been charged with wasting police time.

Paul Meehan, 40, from Croydon, south London, will appear at Croydon Magistrates' Court on February 28.

Tia's body was found in the loft of her grandmother Christine Sharp's house in New Addington in August last year, more than a week after she went missing.

Christine Sharp's boyfriend, Stuart Hazell, is charged with murdering Tia between August 2 and 11.

Stuart Hazell Stuart Hazell is charged with the schoolgirl's murder

A plea hearing has been listed for March 8 at the Old Bailey, and a trial date has been set for May 7.

Christine Sharp was arrested on suspicion of murder but in December she was told she would face no further action in relation to the case.

The disappearance of the schoolgirl sparked a huge search around the Croydon area with family members leading the campaign.

Police officers had previously visited Christine Sharp's home, but it was only days into the search that Tia's body was discovered hidden in the loft.

Christine Sharp Christine Sharp faces no further action over Tia's murder

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