Attorney General: Baby P sentences not 'unduly lenient'

The Attorney General today backed down and refused to challenge the sentences imposed on the mother and stepfather responsible for Baby P's death.

Baroness Scotland had said she was considering whether to ask the Appeal Court to increase the "unduly lenient" sentences handed down last month in response to a public outcry.

But today she said the trial judge had been right and there was "no realistic prospect" that the sentences would be increased.

The news comes as Baby Peter's stepfather and lodger Jason Owen launched their attempts to quash their convictions over the death of the toddler, who was 17 months old when he was found dead in a blood-spattered cot in Haringey in August 2007 having suffered a broken back and fractured ribs.

His mother, 27, was given an indefinite sentence with a minimum term of five years at the Old Bailey last month after pleading guilty to causing or allowing her son's death.

Judge Stephen Kramer described her as "manipulative" and "calculating" while rejecting her claim that she was too naive to realise what was going on in her house.

Her boyfriend, 32, was jailed for life with a minimum of 10 years for raping a two-year-old girl.

He was also given a 12-year term to run concurrently for his "major role" in Peter's death.

Owen, 37, of Bromley, received an indefinite sentence with a minimum term of three years for failing to take steps to save the little boy.

Today Baroness Scotland said: "It was clear to me that the judge, who had heard all of the evidence, fully appreciated the gravity of these terrible offences and took into account all of the relevant factors ... there is no realistic prospect that the Court of Appeal would increase the sentences if I referred them."

The Attorney General said the life and indefinite sentences handed down by the judge were "entirely merited".

She stressed that the three defendants would only be released if and when they no longer presented a risk to the public, and children in particular.
Lawyers representing the mother's boyfriend have now lodged papers appealing against his convictions.

The taxpayer could end up having to foot a £500,000 bill for the hearings.

Claud Knights, director of the children's charity Kidscape, said she was "not happy and very disappointed" with the Attorney General's decision.