The man accused of murdering Tia Sharp tried to blame neighbours for her death and claimed he had been “fitted up” by police, a court heard today.

South London schoolgirl Tia Sharp "idolised" the man accused of murdering her and was "his cling-on", a court heard.

The man accused of murdering 12-year-old Tia Sharp appeared at the Old Bailey today.

The man accused of murdering schoolgirl Tia Sharp was remanded to custody after appearing in court in London yesterday.

The man accused of murdering schoolgirl Tia Sharp was remanded to custody today after appearing at court.

The man accused of murdering schoolgirl Tia Sharp will appear in court today.

A man will appear in court today charged with murdering a 12-year-old girl whose body was found in her grandmother’s home.

Ian Madigan laid down a notable marker as Leinster kicked off their season with an impressive victory in the unfamiliar surroundings of Tallaght Stadium on Saturday evening.

Detectives in Britain investigating the disappearance of schoolgirl Tia Sharp have charged her grandmother's partner with murder.

Detectives investigating the disappearance of missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp are questioning her grandmother’s partner on suspicion of murder.

Police have arrested the partner of the grandmother of 12-year-old Tia Sharp on suspicion of murder.

Police hunting the partner of the grandmother of 12-year-old Tia Sharp said tonight that he had been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The worried family of Tia Sharp have renewed their pleas for her to return home as the search for the missing schoolgirl reaches the one-week mark.

Police from the force that probed the kidnapping of Shannon Matthews have been consulted in the search for missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp, Scotland Yard have confirmed.

Police from the force that investigated the kidnapping of Shannon Matthews are now involved in the search for missing schoolgirl Tia Sharp, Scotland Yard confirmed today.

CONNACHT boss Eric Elwood admitted it was “difficult to find positives” after his side were edged out by Gloucester on Saturday and remain without a win in the Heineken Cup.

ARSENE WENGER survived a mighty scare last night as James Collins’ early header gave League Two Shrewsbury the lead at the Emirates Stadium before Arsenal recovered to book their place in the Carling Cup fourth round.

IT WAS a throwback to the old days when Munster bullied the opposition up front. At Musgrave Park last night, this was a pretty awesome performance from the twice Heineken Cup-winning club, who found strength in areas their critics would not have believed impossible a couple of months ago.

DOUG HOWLETT is just one of a number of senior players set tointensify Munster’s pre-season effort when they take on Gloucester at Musgrave Park tonight (7pm).

Biarritz 42 Gloucester 15

CARDIFF BLUES won a seven-try Heineken Cup thriller at the Millennium Stadium to take charge of their qualifying group.

AN amateur golfer spoke of his shock yesterday at scoring two holes-in-one in a single round.

JOHN SHERIDAN had few regrets during a distinguished playing career which included representing the Republic of Ireland at both the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

The Welsh Rugby Union insists the four regions cannot demand extra compensation for releasing players to the World Cup – because they have already been paid it.

Gloucester back Iain Balshaw will miss England’s second Test clash against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday due to injury.

HARRY ELLIS — England’s most consistent performer during the RBS Six Nations Championship this season — could face Twickenham heartache as Leicester crank up their trophy treble bid.

Gloucester 19 Leinster 13

EDINBURGH supremo Lynn Howells admitted his men had been outplayed by “a much better team” after a 31-14 home defeat by Gloucester.

LEAGUE ONE Chesterfield piled the pressure on Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce by coming from a goal down to end the Premiership strugglers’ interest in the Carling Cup.

DEAN RYAN believes yesterday’s dramatic 36-34 European Challenge Cup final victory over London Irish can be the start of a successful era for Gloucester.

England soccer star Joe Cole was beaten up in a jealous rage over a Page Three girl, it was claimed today.

England 39 Italy 7

Leeds Tykes 15 London Irish 6

Leicester flanker Lewis Moody’s chances of recovering from an infected finger in time to face Ireland on Sunday are “very slim” according to England head coach Andy Robinson.

England will make a late decision on the fitness of Lewis Moody, who is doubtful for Sunday’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash with Ireland at Lansdowne Road because of an infected finger.

Leicester fly-half Andy Goode has been called into England’s 30-man training squad ahead of the RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland in Dublin on February 27.

OLLY BARKLEY will be England’s centre of attention when the world champions tackle an RBS 6 Nations salvage job against France at Twickenham on Sunday.

Olly Barkley will be England’s centre of attention when the world champions tackle a RBS 6 Nations salvage job against France at Twickenham on Sunday.

England coach Andy Robinson has made five changes for the RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against title-holders France at Twickenham on Sunday.

Barry Coughlan

Gloucester 0 Stade Francais 27

England coach Andy Robinson has named an unchanged team for Saturday’s World Cup final rematch against Australia at Twickenham.

Gloucester: Goodridge, Garvey, Fanolua, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, McRae, Gomarsall, Bezuidenhout, Fortey, Vickery, Eustace, Brown, Buxton, Hazell, Forrester.