Man charged with wasteful employment of police time

05/02/2013

The Crown Prosecution Service in London has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Paul Meehan with wasteful employment of police time, contrary to Section 5(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1967.

Jenny Hopkins, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said: "Following a thorough review of the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Paul Meehan with a charge of wasting police time. This charge relates to information given to police by Mr Meehan during the August 2012 investigation into the disappearance and death of Tia Sharp. We have decided that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to proceed.

"He now stands charged with a criminal offence and has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice this trial."

Meehan will appear before Croydon Magistrates' Court on 28th February, 2013.