Mitcham schoolgirl Tia Sharp's neighbour wasted police time during New Addington search, court hears

Paul Meehan lived next door to the 12-year-old's grandmother, Christine Sharp, in The Lindens, New Addington.

Her home was where her partner Stuart Hazell murdered the schoolgirl before hiding her in the loft.

Croydon Magistrates Court heard today that Mr Meehan told police he had seen Tia leave the property on the day she was reported missing, something that could not have been true because she was already dead.

The court heard the 40-year-old initially told police he had not seen the schoolgirl on Friday, August 3, when she was reported missing, but later claimed he saw her leave the property at about 12pm.

Jocelyn Ledward, prosecuting, said: "He told the police on several occasions he had been standing outside his own property and that he had seen Tia leave The Lindens at about noon on Friday, August 3.

"This was impossible because at the time Mr Meehan claimed to have seen Tia, she was already dead."

Miss Ledward added: "He knowingly lied, perhaps to enhance his importance within the investigation."

The court heard during door to door enquiries the day after Tia was reported missing, Mr Meehan told police he did not remember seeing her at all on the Friday, and last saw her the previous weekend.

But on Monday, August 6, while at Christine Sharp's house Mr Meehan told Detective Constable Gavin Seeley he had seen her leave.

Giving evidence Det Con Seeley said: "There was no prompting. My reason of going was solely to get the statement signed.

"I was in the kitchen and Paul Meehan explained to me that he had seen Tia leave on the Friday and said he told an officer from Wimbledon that he had seen Tia.

"He told me the top Tia was wearing called a Talking Tom top and said it was from the Asda clothing range."

"I became aware of the importance of what he was telling me and I told him I would need to take a statement."

Mr Meehan denies a charge of wasting police time.

The case continues.