Lawyers for Sharon Shoesmith, the former head of child protection at Haringey Council, have alleged that police knew one of Baby P's eventual killers was living in the family home but failed to inform social workers. The allegations emerged in court documents released as part of Shoesmith's legal challenge against her sacking by the children's secretary, Ed Balls.
The documents refer to an email from a senior Ofsted official, Anna Lis, to chief inspector Christine Gilbert, stating that the police's internal review showed officers were aware that the lodger, later identified as Jason Owen, was living in the house before Peter Connelly's death. However, it was not clear what action was taken. Haringey social workers had been convinced no adults other than the mother were present.
The email was later withdrawn from the court papers, and the judge noted that any material identifying Peter's siblings would not be released. Police have flatly denied that officers knew Owen was living in the house. Owen, a crack cocaine addict and convicted arsonist, was convicted alongside Peter's mother and her boyfriend of causing or allowing Peter's death.
Separate documents from the original full serious case review reveal a series of police mistakes. Officers failed to photograph the toddler's bruises for a week, did not photograph the home as a potential crime scene, and kept no detailed notes of conversations with the mother. The detective in charge was transferred without handing over the case, leading to a two-month delay.
The review noted that the delay meant the Crown Prosecution Service lost the option to charge an identified perpetrator with common assault. It suggested that earlier charges might have led to more effective safeguarding of the child. Peter died in August 2007 with appalling injuries including a broken back.
