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Review ordered after abuse death | Review ordered after abuse death |
(1 day later) | |
The death of a 17-month-old boy after months of abuse, despite him being on an at-risk register, has sparked a review of child protection in England. | The death of a 17-month-old boy after months of abuse, despite him being on an at-risk register, has sparked a review of child protection in England. |
It comes as two men were found guilty of causing his death in August 2007. | It comes as two men were found guilty of causing his death in August 2007. |
The boy, from Haringey, north London, suffered 50 injuries, and the case has revealed a series of failings by social workers, health workers and police. | The boy, from Haringey, north London, suffered 50 injuries, and the case has revealed a series of failings by social workers, health workers and police. |
The case is described as worse than that of Victoria Climbie, who was murdered in Haringey in 2000. | The case is described as worse than that of Victoria Climbie, who was murdered in Haringey in 2000. |
Lord Laming, who chaired the inquiry into eight-year-old Victoria's death, has now been asked to prepare "an independent report of progress made across the country". | Lord Laming, who chaired the inquiry into eight-year-old Victoria's death, has now been asked to prepare "an independent report of progress made across the country". |
He described the latest case as "dispiriting". | He described the latest case as "dispiriting". |
Judith Reed of the CPS gave her reaction to the verdict | Judith Reed of the CPS gave her reaction to the verdict |
"It would be awful wherever it happened, but it seems particularly sad that it has happened in the same area where Victoria experienced this awful cruelty and a terrible death and involved the very same services," he said. | "It would be awful wherever it happened, but it seems particularly sad that it has happened in the same area where Victoria experienced this awful cruelty and a terrible death and involved the very same services," he said. |
"One of the marked differences with this child is that this child had already been identified as being in danger of being deliberately harmed." | "One of the marked differences with this child is that this child had already been identified as being in danger of being deliberately harmed." |
The death of Victoria Climbie prompted a complete rethink about looking after vulnerable children. | The death of Victoria Climbie prompted a complete rethink about looking after vulnerable children. |
In his report, Lord Laming found agencies were passing the buck and not communicating. He made various recommendations and demanded major legal and structural change. | In his report, Lord Laming found agencies were passing the buck and not communicating. He made various recommendations and demanded major legal and structural change. |
Warnings given | Warnings given |
During the court case it emerged that the boy - known as Baby P - had been visited 60 times over eight months by social workers, police and health professionals. | During the court case it emerged that the boy - known as Baby P - had been visited 60 times over eight months by social workers, police and health professionals. |
After a nine-week trial, Jason Owen, 36, from Bromley, and a 32-year-old man were convicted on Tuesday of "causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person". | After a nine-week trial, Jason Owen, 36, from Bromley, and a 32-year-old man were convicted on Tuesday of "causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person". |
Short life of misery and painReactions to case | Short life of misery and painReactions to case |
The boy's mother had pleaded guilty to causing the death of the child and all three will be sentenced on 15 December. | The boy's mother had pleaded guilty to causing the death of the child and all three will be sentenced on 15 December. |
The mother and her 32-year-old boyfriend cannot be named for legal reasons. | The mother and her 32-year-old boyfriend cannot be named for legal reasons. |
Two social workers and a lawyer have been given warnings over the case. | Two social workers and a lawyer have been given warnings over the case. |
Children's Minister Beverley Hughes told BBC News that questions needed to be asked of Haringey Council. | Children's Minister Beverley Hughes told BBC News that questions needed to be asked of Haringey Council. |
"I certainly want to investigate further the situation in Haringey," she said. | "I certainly want to investigate further the situation in Haringey," she said. |
"I think it's perfectly reasonable given that this happened before in the same place eight years ago. | "I think it's perfectly reasonable given that this happened before in the same place eight years ago. |
"A second child should not have died in these circumstances, when the authorities were aware that probably abuse was taking place." | "A second child should not have died in these circumstances, when the authorities were aware that probably abuse was taking place." |
Crucial failure | Crucial failure |
The child was found dead in his blood-splattered cot on 3 August 2007. | The child was found dead in his blood-splattered cot on 3 August 2007. |
The jury heard how the blond-haired boy was once a happy and smiling infant but after months of being used as a "punchbag", he became dead-eyed, hollow-cheeked and unrecognisable. | The jury heard how the blond-haired boy was once a happy and smiling infant but after months of being used as a "punchbag", he became dead-eyed, hollow-cheeked and unrecognisable. |
Two days before he died, a doctor failed to spot that his back and ribs were broken, later claiming the child was "miserable and cranky". | Two days before he died, a doctor failed to spot that his back and ribs were broken, later claiming the child was "miserable and cranky". |
This case is worse than Climbie. The signs were there and not followed Mor Dioum, Victoria Climbie foundation | This case is worse than Climbie. The signs were there and not followed Mor Dioum, Victoria Climbie foundation |
Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat no longer works at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which provides paediatric services for Haringey, but she is appealing against the decision not to renew her contract. | Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat no longer works at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which provides paediatric services for Haringey, but she is appealing against the decision not to renew her contract. |
Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of the hospital, said: "Dr Al-Zayyat should have identified the possibility that he had suffered non-accidental injuries. | Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of the hospital, said: "Dr Al-Zayyat should have identified the possibility that he had suffered non-accidental injuries. |
"Whether that would have made a difference we shall never know." | "Whether that would have made a difference we shall never know." |
An internal inquiry by Haringey's Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) blamed legal advice taken a week before the baby's death for the decision not to take him into care. | An internal inquiry by Haringey's Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) blamed legal advice taken a week before the baby's death for the decision not to take him into care. |
It found "numerous examples" of good practice in the case although there had been "weaknesses" in information flow. | It found "numerous examples" of good practice in the case although there had been "weaknesses" in information flow. |
Sharon Shoesmith, chair of the board, said: "The very sad fact is that we can't stop people who are determined to kill children." | Sharon Shoesmith, chair of the board, said: "The very sad fact is that we can't stop people who are determined to kill children." |
She insisted lessons had been learned since Victoria Climbie, who was murdered by her great-aunt and the woman's partner. | She insisted lessons had been learned since Victoria Climbie, who was murdered by her great-aunt and the woman's partner. |
Mor Dioum, director of the Victoria Climbie foundation, which campaigns to improve child protection, called for a public inquiry. | Mor Dioum, director of the Victoria Climbie foundation, which campaigns to improve child protection, called for a public inquiry. |
"This case is worse than Climbie. The signs were there and not followed," he said. | "This case is worse than Climbie. The signs were there and not followed," he said. |
Police investigations | Police investigations |
The child's mother had been arrested twice for suspected child cruelty. The day before her son died, she was told by police she would not be prosecuted. | The child's mother had been arrested twice for suspected child cruelty. The day before her son died, she was told by police she would not be prosecuted. |
Detective Superintendent Caroline Bates said: "With hindsight, having the benefit of a major investigation, we know quite clearly that the mother was lying and trying to subvert agencies involved with the family." | Detective Superintendent Caroline Bates said: "With hindsight, having the benefit of a major investigation, we know quite clearly that the mother was lying and trying to subvert agencies involved with the family." |
The court heard the mother had manipulated the agencies involved in her son's welfare, once concealing bruises by smearing him with chocolate. | The court heard the mother had manipulated the agencies involved in her son's welfare, once concealing bruises by smearing him with chocolate. |
Described by an officer in the case as a "slob, completely divorced from reality", she had spent hours in internet chatrooms or watching television. | Described by an officer in the case as a "slob, completely divorced from reality", she had spent hours in internet chatrooms or watching television. |
Her boyfriend, who kept knives and Nazi memorabilia in the house, was "sadistic - fascinated with pain", the detective said. | Her boyfriend, who kept knives and Nazi memorabilia in the house, was "sadistic - fascinated with pain", the detective said. |
Owen had been living in the house after splitting from his wife and going on the run with his 15-year-old girlfriend. |