The 37-year-old’s defence said he changed his plea because Tia’s family had “suffered enough” during the trial. reports the BBC.

Tia’s body was found in the loft of her grandmother, Hazell’s partner, a week after she went missing in New Addington.

The jury was read out a letter written to Hazell’s father from prison saying he had made “one mistake” and his “whole world collapsed” .

The letter was headed with the words “forgive me” and said “What happened I will explain in time, but put it this way, it was an accident and I panicked.Stupid I know but for my stupidity I’m looking at 15 to 18 years. I regret it every second of every day.”

Hazell is expected to be sentenced later.

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