Paedophile rapist facing life term was Baby P's 'stepfather'

A man convicted of causing or allowing the death of the British toddler widely known as 'Baby P' was tonight facing a life sentence after he was exposed as the paedophile who attacked a two-year-old girl.

The 32-year-old man was the 'stepfather' of Baby P, who can now be called Peter.

He was found guilty at the Old Bailey today of raping the girl in the north London borough of Haringey, where social workers had come under attack for failing to save Peter from a tortuous death at the hands of the man, Peter's 27-year-old mother and lodger Jason Owen, 36.

There was angry reaction that another child was exposed to the man who stood impassively in the dock as the guilty verdict was returned.

His denial of the anal rape charge meant the girl was forced the give evidence - the youngest child ever to testify at the Old Bailey.

Her video recorded police interview was played as her evidence to the court and she was then cross-examined by lawyers over a video link.

Haringey council immediately admitted its short-comings and vowed to prevent it happening again.

The attack came to light after the man and Peter’s mother were arrested for his death in August, 2007.

The woman denied a cruelty charge involving the girl and was found not guilty by jurors who had no idea they were dealing with defendants in the 'Baby P' case.

Judge Stephen Kramer told them the couple had been tried under false names to ensure they were not prejudiced by the previous trial.

He remanded the pair in custody for sentencing at the end of the month and warned they faced “substantial” prison terms.

The identities of the couple are protected for legal reasons.

The two men were convicted of causing or allowing 17-month-old Peter’s death following a trial last November.

The woman pleaded guilty to the offence which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years.

The rape conviction means the judge can now pass a life sentence on the man Peter knew as “dad”.

Peter was found dead in his blood-spattered cot with a broken back and fractured ribs.

He had 50 injuries – despite having had 60 contacts with health and social workers over the final eight months of his life.

His mother was arrested twice after injuries were spotted but she was never charged after hoodwinking officials.

Peter suffered months of ill-treatment, culminating in his death after a punch in the mouth knocked one of his teeth down his throat.

It brought an outpouring of public emotion and criticism of care workers.

The British government stepped in and ordered a review of children’s services nationwide.

Social workers, including the head of UK children’s services Sharon Shoesmith, were sacked.

Two doctors, including one who missed the broken back at an examination, were suspended.

Police said they had no plans to launch a criminal investigation into the council’s conduct which they found involved incompetence not criminal failings.

Haringey council leader Claire Kober said after today’s verdict: “We have accepted that things went badly wrong with our child protection.

“We live every day with the knowledge that more could have been done and apologise again to everyone affected. We are committed to putting things right.”

An inquiry would now be held into the girl’s case and into the role of the different agencies involved.

A first inquiry of the Baby P case was headed by Shoesmith who blamed legal advice and refused to apologise.

But tonight it was revealed that a second review into the death concludes that it "could and should have been prevented.”

Detective Chief Inspector Graham Grant said outside court: “There is no doubt that Peter and this young girl suffered terribly.

“It is telling that this man denied rape and in doing so forced a very young and vulnerable child to endure a daunting criminal trial.

“It is also humbling to be involved in a case which relied on the testimony of such a young and violated child.

“Her resilience is extraordinary and I sincerely hope that, with the continued support of professionals and her family, she will be able to lead a happy and fulfilled life.

“This case has shocked everyone to the core.”