Lodger is charged with sex offence after girl, 14, hangs herself at home in Essex

 
Secret: Georgia Hedges is understood to have started a relationship with the family’s 38-year-old lodger Picture: EAST NEWS
21 May 2013
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

A teenager is believed to have killed herself after she was the victim of alleged sexual abuse by a lodger in her family home.

Georgia Hedges, 14, was rushed to hospital after being found hanging in a room at her home in Witham, Essex.

The popular schoolgirl was transferred to a specialist unit at Adenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge but died two days later.

Now it has emerged that a 38-year-old man has been charged with engaging in sexual activity with the teenager.

Bramwell Walls was arrested on the day of Georgia's death and charged the following day.

Walls, of Walthamstow, London, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court to answer a single charge of engaging in sexual activity with a girl.

He has yet to enter a plea and the case was adjourned until later this year when he will appear at Chelmsford Crown Court.

It is understood that Walls was a lodger at Georgia's house and started a secret relationship with the teenager.

An inquest into Georgia's death is due to be opened by Essex Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray today.

It is expected to be a short hearing that will be opened and the case be adjourned whilst further investigations take place.

Hundreds of Georgia's friends have paid tribute to her on Facebook.

Caitlin Overton wrote: "We wish you were here - rocking' up to school one hour late, brushing your beautiful hair.

"We all love you so much, you are always in our thoughts and hearts and you will never be forgotten.

"Sleep tight beautiful princess, the brightest star in the sky! We love you."

A shrine of flowers has built up at the Maltings Academy school in Witham.

Stunned pupils and parents were told of the teenager's death last week in a letter sent home by the principal, John Szynal.

He wrote: "She was a popular student, well-liked and respected by students and teachers.

"People are dealing with the grief in different ways and I have drafted in a group of professional counsellors to support students and staff."

When Walls appeared in court at the weekend brief details were heard about the case.

Police were called to Georgia's home last Tuesday after she tried to hang herself.

Paramedics and an air ambulance also attended at about 6pm and Georgia was rushed to Chelmford's Broomfield Hospital being she was then transferred.

She died on Thursday and Walls was arrested later the same day.

An Essex Police spokesman confirmed officers were continuing to investigate the cause of death.

He said: "A post-mortem was carried out on Friday and a provisional cause of death has shown the girl died of compression of the neck."

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in