@SkyFixerJim:
Court 2 is packed as we wait for the judge's arrival. No sign of Hazell yet. We're wondering if the jury will return for his sentencing.
The judge is in Hazell is brought up.
And here come the jury. All of them, as far as I can see. They don't have to be here.
Judge : Tia was a sparky girl, full of life. You took that life from her... You are responsible.
Judge: there is only one sentence for murder, life. But the law requires me to decide when if ever you should be considered for release.
Judge: there is no doubt you had developed a sexual interest in Tia, your Internet searches demonstrate this.
Judge now talking about the naked after death picture Hazell took of Tia.
Judge: I have had to decide whether there was a sexual motivation for the murder. The prosecution says there was.
Hazell has been told to remain seated during the sentencing remarks. He'll be told to stand for the sentence itself. #tiasharp
@Gareth_Davies09:
Judge: There is only one sentence for murder, that is life imprisonment. Choice between minimum or whole life term
Judge: no doubt you developed a sexual attraction to Tia. Tia was not your blood relationship but there was a bond, you took pictures of her
Judge: Highly-suggestive that the picture was taken after death, say pathologists. Likely docs are right but I have to be sure.
Hazell staring straight ahead, emotionless as Judge Justice Nicol addresses him
Judge: I cannot be sure there was a sexual motivation in Tia's murder. Shame and fear are just too possible motives
Judge: you have betrayed family's trust in most grevious way possible #tiasharp
@SkyFixerJim:
Judge: there was no pathological evidence that Tia had been sexually assaulted, although it cannot be discounted.
Judge: I cannot say for certain that there was a sexual motive for the killing. It is not a case where a whole life tariff can be imposed.
Hazell is sitting forward in his seat, staring intently at the judge as he speaks.
Judge: thirty years as a starting point is appropriate. I have to consider the aggravating features.
Judge: Tia's age is one aggravating factor. The gross breach of trust is another. That picture further degraded that young girl.
Judge: the concealment of Tia's body is another aggravating factor. You have already served sentences for drugs supply and carrying weapon.
Judge: your guilty plea has come very late. It follows a wholly fictitious account of Tia falling downstairs and breaking her neck.
Judge: you will serve 38 years.
@Gareth_Davies09:
Judge: Your plea of guilty came very late. Your counsel says you wish to avoid further distress to family, which is commendable
[Oh, please!]
@SkyFixerJim:
BREAKING: Stuart Hazell will serve 38 years minimum for the murder of Tia Sharp.
Hazell is taken down from the dock very quickly indeed. The sentence brought gasps, sobs and cries of "yes" from Tia's family.
@Gareth_Davies09:
There were shouts of "beast" from the public gallery as Hazell was sentenced. Others shouted "yes" or cheered #tiasharp
Christine Bicknell, Tia's grandmother, appeared to burst out crying and hugged a family member #tiasharp
Judge said that while he took guilty plea into account, waiting for such a long time, and concocting story, meant Tia's family suffered
As throughout, there was little emotion from Hazell on being told the sentenced. He was quickly taken out of court
@SkyFixerJim:
Stuart Hazell will turn 38 this month. Today he was sentenced to 38 years. So he'll be 76 before he's even considered for release.
