Baby P’s mother may be ‘deceiving’ parole panel says psychologist

It is possible that the mother of Baby P, who died after months of abuse, has been “deceiving” a parole board panel regarding her efforts to change, a psychologist has told the hearing.

Tracey Connelly was sentenced in 2009 to a minimum term of five years after admitting causing or allowing the death of her 17-month-old son Peter – known as Baby P – at their home in Tottenham, north London in 2007.

Her then boyfriend, Steven Barker, and his brother, Jason Owen, were convicted of the same crime.

Her latest review for release is her seventh bid for freedom, and the second since she was recalled to prison last year having breached licence conditions by concealing a new relationship.

Connelly, now in her 40s, admitted in evidence that she had been a “bad mother” who “knew deep down” that Barker was abusing her son, and that she believed she would pose a risk to children in her care.

Baby P suffered more than 50 injuries despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police officers and health professionals over eight months.

Connelly also accepted that she “lied” to professionals supervising her about the relationship she started last year but insisted that she has developed trust with officials since being recalled.

A psychologist told the hearing that it was possible that Connelly has been lying.

Panel member Fiona Ainsworth asked: “Could she be deceiving us now?”

“The answer to that is yes she could,” the psychologist said.

The psychologist added that it is also possible that the work Connelly has done and the treatment she has received to tackle difficulties in being honest “have brought authentic change”.

The panel heard that Connelly meets the test for release from prison.

Although the psychologist noted that they would not expect her to be violent towards children, they said the risk increased if Connelly became involved in an unhealthy relationship or if her mental health worsened.

Connelly admitted the offence of causing or allowing the death of her son and was handed a sentence of imprisonment for public protection with a minimum term of five years.

She was released on licence in 2013 but was recalled to prison two years later after failing to disclose an online relationship – a situation the parole panel said was “closely mirrored” in her second recall to jail last year following a further release in 2022.

Panel members for Connelly’s review will assess her risk in whether to release her from prison or recommend she is transferred to open prison conditions.

The hearing continues.