Neighbour told police: I definitely saw Tia

A neighbour of Tia Sharp's grandmother claimed he saw the schoolgirl walk towards a bus stop while he was having a cigarette in his front garden.

The court was read a statement given to police by Meehan, in which he said: "From the time I saw Tia I didn't take my eyes off her."

He added: "I think we're all willing and hoping to find Tia safe, more than anything else."

After his arrest, Meehan told officers: "I definitely saw her leave the house. Whether she came back I don't know."

Meehan denies causing wasteful employment of the police by making a false report that he had information linked to an inquiry on August 6.