27/05/2009

Baby P Sentences To Be Reviewed

The Attorney General is to examine whether the sentences handed down in the Baby P case were "unduly lenient".

Last week Baby Peter's mother was jailed indefinitely for causing or allowing the 17-month-old's death.

The 27-year-old must serve a minimum of five years in prison - which would include the 21 months she has already been imprisoned following Peter's death in August 2007.

Her 32-year-old boyfriend has been sentenced to 12 years in jail for causing the toddler's death, and life with a minimum term of 10 years for raping a two-year-old girl.

The couple's lodger, Jason Owens, was jailed indefinitely for causing Baby Peter's death. He must serve at least three years.

A spokesman for Baroness Scotland's office is to consider if the case papers should be referred to the Court of Appeal, adding she could appeal against the minimum terms handed down.

He said: "We have called for the papers in this case since the Attorney General has the power to refer certain sentences to the Court of Appeal for review if, after looking at all the facts, she thinks the sentence was unduly lenient.

"Within this power, the attorney general can look at minimum tariffs imposed on life and indeterminate sentence prisoners.

"However, it is important to understand that such prisoners are not released automatically after the minimum term has been served – they are only released when the independent Parole Board is satisfied that their continued detention is no longer necessary to protect the public."

(JM/BMcC)

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