Law chief acts on 'lenient' sentencing in Baby P case

The 17-month-old boy, identified only as Peter, was found in a blood-spattered cot at his north London home in August 2007 with more than 50 injuries, including a broken back and fractured ribs, following months of abuse. Last week his mother, 27, was given an indefinite sentence with a minimum term of five years after being convicted of causing or allowing his death, meaning she could apply for parole in three years. Her boyfriend, 32, was jailed for life with a minimum of 10 years for raping a two-year-old girl.

He was also given a 12-year term to run concurrently for his "major role" in the boy's death which means he can apply for parole in eight years.

The couple's lodger, Jason Owen, 37, of Bromley, was jailed for a minimum of three years and can apply for parole after two years.

Passing the sentences, judge Stephen Kramer emphasised that they would only be considered for release if the parole board decided they no longer posed a threat to children.

But the Attorney General Baroness Scotland will now examine the papers and decide whether the case should be referred to the Court of Appeal, which has the power to increase the minimum tariffs the defendants must serve.

A spokesman for the Attorney General's office 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."

Peter's death sparked public anger at the social workers, police officers and health professionals who had failed to protect him.

Five employees of Haringey council, including children's services director Sharon Shoesmith, were sacked and the General Medical Council has suspended two doctors involved in the case.

The NSPCC condemned the sentences handed down last week.

The charity's chief executive Andrew Flanagan asked "how bad the abuse has to be" before offenders get a longer prison term.

"Peter suffered sustained abuse leaving him with horrendous injuries," he said. "Two of his abusers could walk free at a time when Peter should be a schoolboy with a world in front of him."

Peter had been seen 60 times by child protection agencies and social workers ignored legal advice which said he should be taken into care.

Judge Kramer said last week that the indeterminate sentences were meant to protect the public from people who posed a serious threat to children.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls said: "It is not for me to say what the courts should do. These were terrible crimes, there should be punishment and reparation and protection of the public for years to come."