Baby P 'stepfather' raped girl, two

1 May 2009 04:13pm

Baby P's "stepfather" is facing a life sentence after being convicted of raping a two-year-old girl who should have been protected by social workers.

The girl, along with the 17-month-old toddler who can now be called Peter, was on the Haringey Council child protection register.

The rape allegation came to light after the 32-year-old man and Peter's 27-year-old mother were arrested for his death.

The mother was acquitted by the Old Bailey jury of cruelty to the girl.

Andrew Flanagan, chief executive of the children's charity NSPCC, said: "The brutal death of Baby Peter and the rape of a two-year-old girl are among the most heinous crimes against small children we have ever seen.

"They leave all decent people bewildered and revolted.

"Thankfully, those responsible have been convicted. Hopefully they will receive severe prison sentences which will keep them away from children for a very long time.

"The violence, neglect and sexual brutality inflicted on these babies cuts deep into all our hearts - what happened to them is the stuff of nightmares. But tragically it is not unique.

"It is all too common for babies and toddlers to be abused behind closed doors and out of sight."

© The Press Association