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Baby P killer loses rape appeal Baby P killer loses rape appeal
(10 minutes later)
One of the three people jailed over the death of Baby Peter has lost an appeal against his conviction for the rape of a two-year-old.One of the three people jailed over the death of Baby Peter has lost an appeal against his conviction for the rape of a two-year-old.
Steven Barker, 33, who was ordered to serve at least 10 years for raping a girl, claimed he did not have a fair trial and his conviction was "unsafe".Steven Barker, 33, who was ordered to serve at least 10 years for raping a girl, claimed he did not have a fair trial and his conviction was "unsafe".
His challenge was rejected by the Court of Appeal in London.His challenge was rejected by the Court of Appeal in London.
Barker was the boyfriend of Tracey Connelly - the mother of Peter who died in north London in 2007.Barker was the boyfriend of Tracey Connelly - the mother of Peter who died in north London in 2007.
Broken back Barker's QC, Bernard Richmond, had argued at a hearing in November that an Old Bailey judge should have halted the case against him.
Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, Lady Justice Hallett and Mrs Justice Macur, also dismissed his appeal against his sentence. 'Danger to children'
An argument put forward to the appeal judges by Mr Richmond was that the evidence of the girl should have been excluded.
The trial judge, he submitted, should have ruled that the child was not a "competent" witness.
Lord Judge said: "All the reports upon the appellant indicate that he is a danger to young children."Lord Judge said: "All the reports upon the appellant indicate that he is a danger to young children."
Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, Lady Justice Hallett and Mrs Justice Macur, also dismissed his appeal against his sentence.
Barker was sentenced to 12 years for causing or allowing the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly at a separate trial.Barker was sentenced to 12 years for causing or allowing the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly at a separate trial.
The toddler had more than 50 injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken back, when he was found dead at a property in Tottenham in August 2007. The toddler was found dead in his cot with more than 50 injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken back, at a property in Tottenham in August 2007.
Peter's mother, Tracey Connelly, 28, of Penshurst Road, Tottenham, north London, and lodger Jason Owen, 37, of Bromley, south east London, were also jailed over the child's death.