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Baby Peter mother offers apology Baby Peter mother offers apology
(40 minutes later)
Baby Peter's mother has apologised for the "pain and suffering" endured by her son before his death.Baby Peter's mother has apologised for the "pain and suffering" endured by her son before his death.
In a letter to the judge who is due to sentence her, alongside her boyfriend and lodger, she said: "I punish myself on a daily basis" and "am truly sorry".In a letter to the judge who is due to sentence her, alongside her boyfriend and lodger, she said: "I punish myself on a daily basis" and "am truly sorry".
The baby died after months of abuse in Haringey, north London, in August 2007. Peter died after months of abuse in Haringey, north London, in August 2007.
In a statement read to the Old Bailey, his father said he could not believe "such appalling cruelty" had been inflicted upon his son. In a statement read at the Old Bailey, his father said he could not believe "such appalling cruelty" had been inflicted upon his son.
The baby's mother, her boyfriend and their lodger are to be sentenced for causing or allowing the baby's death. Peter's mother, her boyfriend and their lodger are to be sentenced for causing or allowing the baby's death.
Baby Peter was 17 months old when he died with more than 50 injuries, despite being on Haringey Council's child protection register. Peter was 17 months old when he died with more than 50 injuries, despite being on Haringey Council's child protection register.
'Adorable' boy Mother's letter
His mother's letter read: I have lost all I hold dear to me , now every day of my life is full of guilt and trying to come to terms with my failure as a mother.
"I have lost all I hold dear to me , now every day of my life is full of guilt and trying to come to terms with my failure as a mother. I punish myself on a daily basis and there is not a day that goes by where I don't cry at some point.
"I punish myself on a daily basis and there is not a day that goes by where I don't cry at some point... While I appreciate I am going to be given a custodial sentence, I would like to say I am sorry for all the pain and suffering my failure has led to.
"While I appreciate I am going to be given a custodial sentence, I would like to say I am sorry for all the pain and suffering my failure has lead to ....I know I can never forgive myself of my short comings . I am truly sorry." I know I can never forgive myself of my shortcomings . I am truly sorry.
In a two-day sentencing hearing, Baby Peter's father described him as a "cheerful, bubbly, smiling" boy. In a two-day sentencing hearing, Peter's father described him as a "cheerful, bubbly, smiling" boy.
"He was such an adorable and loveable little boy. He loved to be cuddled and tickled. He made anyone in his presence happy," he said."He was such an adorable and loveable little boy. He loved to be cuddled and tickled. He made anyone in his presence happy," he said.
Baby Peter's father, who had separated from the boy's mother, said he could never come to terms with his death. Peter's father, who had separated from the boy's mother, said he could never come to terms with his death.
"I continue to feel extremely angry for what happened to Peter," he said."I continue to feel extremely angry for what happened to Peter," he said.
On the last occasion he took Baby Peter back to his mother, the boy started to scream, his father said. On the last occasion he took Peter back to his mother, the boy started to scream, his father said.
He now realised that was because Baby Peter was going back to "a life of pain, fear and loneliness with no-one to care for or comfort him".He now realised that was because Baby Peter was going back to "a life of pain, fear and loneliness with no-one to care for or comfort him".
I just wanted to pick him up and take him home but there was nothing I could do for him Baby Peter's father
On 3 August 2007 he received a phone call from the boy's mother, saying he was on his way to hospital suffering breathing difficulties.On 3 August 2007 he received a phone call from the boy's mother, saying he was on his way to hospital suffering breathing difficulties.
Baby Peter's father was "frantic with worry" and when he arrived at the hospital he was told his son had already been declared dead.Baby Peter's father was "frantic with worry" and when he arrived at the hospital he was told his son had already been declared dead.
"I just wanted to pick him up and take him home but there was nothing I could do for him," he said."I just wanted to pick him up and take him home but there was nothing I could do for him," he said.
"I kissed him on the forehead and said goodbye.""I kissed him on the forehead and said goodbye."
Baby Peter's father said he comforted the boy's mother at that stage because he believed her explanation that he had died suddenly, probably from cot death.Baby Peter's father said he comforted the boy's mother at that stage because he believed her explanation that he had died suddenly, probably from cot death.
After the details of the boy's death emerged a week later, his father said he turned to drink and was unable to work.After the details of the boy's death emerged a week later, his father said he turned to drink and was unable to work.
He said it was the "most horrendous time" and that he could not stop thinking about his son's last days.He said it was the "most horrendous time" and that he could not stop thinking about his son's last days.
"No human being, especially a child, deserves to suffer like Peter suffered in the last weeks and months of his life," he said."No human being, especially a child, deserves to suffer like Peter suffered in the last weeks and months of his life," he said.
His mother, her boyfriend, 32, and their lodger Jason Owens were found guilty of causing or allowing the baby's death.His mother, her boyfriend, 32, and their lodger Jason Owens were found guilty of causing or allowing the baby's death.
Her boyfriend will also be sentenced for raping a two-year-old girl.Her boyfriend will also be sentenced for raping a two-year-old girl.