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11/11/2008
Pair Guilty Of 'At Risk' Toddler Death
Two men have been found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a toddler on the council's "at risk" register, who died after suffering more than 50 injuries, including a broken back.
The Old Bailey heard the 17-month-old child - known as 'Baby P' - had died at his home in Haringey, north London, after months of being used as a "punchbag".
A 32-year-old who cannot be named and Jason Owen, 36, from Bromley both denied killing the young child.
Owen - who had been staying with the family as a lodger - along with the 32-year-old, were cleared of murder. However, both were found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child.
The child's 27-year-old mother was cleared of murder, but found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, before the trial began. The three are to be sentenced on December 15.
The abuse was said to have taken place over a period of eight months, and during this time the child had been placed on the child protection register of Haringey social services.
A post mortem examination revealed the baby had suffered numerous injuries, including eight fractured ribs, a broken back and extensive bruising.
The boy was visited by health or social workers around twice a week while he was on the register. However, the jury heard the mother had lied to them and smeared the toddler with chocolate to hide the bruises, to manipulate the visitors.
Also, 48-hours before Baby P was found dead in his blood-splattered cot, a doctor failed to notice he had a broken spine.
Gillie Christou, in charge of social workers looking after children on the register in Haringey, told the court she had agreed to keep the baby with his mother.
She said: "I made the decision at the time based on the material in front of me and based on the background to the case."
The tragic death echoes the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in 2000, who was killed by her aunt and the woman's lover after care workers and police in the borough failed to save her.
Mor Dioum, director of the Victoria Climbie Foundation - set up to improve child protection - said: "This case is worse than Climbie. The signs were there but were not followed."
Owen and the 32-year-old man were remanded in custody until sentencing next month.
(JM)
The Old Bailey heard the 17-month-old child - known as 'Baby P' - had died at his home in Haringey, north London, after months of being used as a "punchbag".
A 32-year-old who cannot be named and Jason Owen, 36, from Bromley both denied killing the young child.
Owen - who had been staying with the family as a lodger - along with the 32-year-old, were cleared of murder. However, both were found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child.
The child's 27-year-old mother was cleared of murder, but found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child, before the trial began. The three are to be sentenced on December 15.
The abuse was said to have taken place over a period of eight months, and during this time the child had been placed on the child protection register of Haringey social services.
A post mortem examination revealed the baby had suffered numerous injuries, including eight fractured ribs, a broken back and extensive bruising.
The boy was visited by health or social workers around twice a week while he was on the register. However, the jury heard the mother had lied to them and smeared the toddler with chocolate to hide the bruises, to manipulate the visitors.
Also, 48-hours before Baby P was found dead in his blood-splattered cot, a doctor failed to notice he had a broken spine.
Gillie Christou, in charge of social workers looking after children on the register in Haringey, told the court she had agreed to keep the baby with his mother.
She said: "I made the decision at the time based on the material in front of me and based on the background to the case."
The tragic death echoes the murder of eight-year-old Victoria Climbie in 2000, who was killed by her aunt and the woman's lover after care workers and police in the borough failed to save her.
Mor Dioum, director of the Victoria Climbie Foundation - set up to improve child protection - said: "This case is worse than Climbie. The signs were there but were not followed."
Owen and the 32-year-old man were remanded in custody until sentencing next month.
(JM)
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