An in-depth analysis of the records relating to the deaths of 163 children killed at the hands of a parent or carer in the last five years has shown that thousands of children from babies to 16 are "slipping through the net" of protection measures despite the knowledge that they live in households with a history of domestic abuse, drug problems or where there has been a recent separation – all factors which dramatically increase the risk of murder.
Incomplete figures for 2008 suggest the upward trend is continuing, and children are being killed by their so-called carers at the rate of one a week.
Amy Howson, 6 months:
Father broke daughter's spine in anger at her crying
Ryan Hawkins, 4:
Stabbed in revenge for affair
Amy Philcox, 7, and Owen Philcox, 3:
Gassed in the car after divorce
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/one-child-in-britain-is-killed-like-baby-peter-every-week-1740220.html
Analysis: BABY PETER SENTENCES MEAN PAROLE BOARD IS IN CONTROL
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6342958.ece
The indefinite sentence given to Baby P’s mother means that she will remain in prison until the Parole Board decides she is no longer a risk to the public.
She was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection, which in effect means a person can remain in prison indefinitely.
The sentence, introduced by David Blunkett, lays down a minimum term which must be served before the Parole Board assesses whether an offender can be released.
Baby P’s mother will serve a minimum of five years before the Parole Board looks at her case.
If the board refuses to release her, she will remain in prison with reviews on whether she can be freed taking place every two years.
Anyone who is released from an indeterminate sentence for public protection is put under supervision by the probation service for a further ten years. At the end of that period they can apply to the board for the supervision to be lifted.
The maximum sentence Baby P’s mother could have received on the charge of causing or allowing her son’s death was 14 years. But if the judge had given her a conventional sentence of this nature she would have been automatically released after seven years and kept under supervision for the remaining seven years.
By giving her an indefinite sentence, the judge appears to have decided that, rather than risk the option of Baby P’s mother being automatically released after seven years, the better option is to hand down a sentence that could mean her serving much longer in prison plus, on her release, a long period under supervision.
It also means that rather than automatic release, she will be freed only if the Parole Board considers that she is no longer a risk.
NSPCC STATEMENT ON THE SENTENCING
The minimum sentences imposed on two of the three people convicted for the death of Baby Peter are disappointing, the NSPCC said today.
While the indeterminate sentences passed on these two and the life sentence passed on the third for the rape of a two year old girl are welcome, the minimum sentences means they could be free in a few short years.
The sentences mean that Baby Peter’s 27 year old mother and her lodger, 37 year old Jason Owen would still be young enough to start new lives and new families when released.
NSPCC chief executive Andrew Flanagan said: “We are disappointed that the minimum tariff was so low. It raises the question of how bad the abuse has to be before offenders get a longer minimum time in prison.
“Baby Peter suffered sustained abuse leaving him with horrendous injuries. Two of his abusers could walk free at a time when Peter should be a schoolboy with a new world in front of him. Despicable cruelty has denied him that opportunity.
“These three caused or allowed the torture and death of a defenceless baby. They may be behind bars now but when released from prison they must be put under the most stringent monitoring so they can never harm another child.
“The authorities must use every measure at their disposal to manage these individuals when they are freed.
Although most offenders are managed safely in the community, every week at least one kills, rapes or commits another serious offence.1 Every ten days in England and Wales a child is killed at the hands of their parent or carer. Many more children are left disabled or suffer life-threatening injuries.
The NSPCC’s Helpline - 0808 800 5000 - is there 24 hours a day if anyone has concerns about a child. People worried about a child can also email help@nspcc.org.uk
From The Times
May 23, 2009
POLICE CONDEMNED BY INQUIRY FAILURES OVER BABY P DEATH
A damning report into the Met's handling of the Baby P case found that officers failed to properly investigate allegations of abuse.
The internal Met report shows that the police failed to adequately probe allegations of abuse against Peter Connelly two months before he died and found there would have been a "different outcome" in the case if recommended procedures had been followed.
The report, written last year but only now released, found numerous failures to follow recommendations by officers from the Child Abuse Investigations Unit. The report described an incident two months before the toddler died, when a social worker visited Peter and found him covered in bruises.
The social worker reported it to police who failed to interview the mother until five days later. This was despite Peter being on the protection register and showing signs of long-term neglect.
The report said: "There was evidence of social workers effectively carrying out initial investigations on behalf of the police."
The report also accuses officers of missing vital opportunities to gather clues during the "golden hour" when the evidence was fresh by failing to attend Peter's medical examinations.
It concludes that "had there been police representation at the review case conference, there would have been a different outcome in terms of investigation of the assault and/or protection arrangements".
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The death of Baby Peter was a tragedy and we are ensuring that any lessons that can be learned to prevent another child from being placed at risk are put into practice."
More on the story here.
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