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Baby P's stepfather, jailed over the toddler's death, has boasted about how he doted on him, saying he was a caring parent.
Steven Barker, 33, told how he was a loving father figure to the children of Tracey Connelly, the mother of Baby P, saying he tucked them in at night, made them sandwiches for school and tenderly brushed their hair in the mornings.
He made the statement in his Belmarsh prison cell, where he is preparing to appeal against his 12-year sentence for causing and allowing the death of 17-month-old Peter. He is also appealing against his conviction for the rape of a two-year-old girl, for which he was given life, with a 10-year minimum.
Baby P died after suffering sustained abuse and neglect at the hands of his 28-year-old mother, Barker and Barker's brother, Jason Owen, 37, despite being on Haringey's at-risk register.
Connelly admitted causing or allowing the death and was given an indeterminate sentence with a five-year minimum tariff. Owen, 37, from Bromley, was given an indeterminate sentence and told he would serve at least three years.
Barker, who never gave evidence at the trio's trial, says they were a happy family.
Reader views (21)
All abusers use these default lies about how loving and caring they really are.
I know of a friend's case where she fled domestic violence against her and their children only for the dire family court system to force the children back to the abusive parent. In all the cases I know about, the legal people and social workers and CAFCASS took no notice of the areas of concern against the abuser but were instead taken in by the insincere lies from the abuser, who shed a few well timed, crocodile tears just so he could carry on with his sick, sordid little game of controlling and abusing his victims.
More should be done by social workers and the legal people involved to get to the truth and first and foremost protect the innocent children, who can't defend themselves. In any case, it would be better to err on the side of caution.
Judges and social workers etc. should also be held accountable for allowing a child to be harmed, if they make decisions that ultimately led to that end.
- Don't be fooled by lies, England, 29/09/2010 17:58
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Right, he loved him while he tore off his fingernails and punched the baby so hard he swallowed his bottom tooth.
This "life sentence" of 12 years is not NEARLY enough for a sadistic murderer of the most innocent creatures on earth. The concept of an appeal is disgusting. The concept that he should be treated well in prison and given ANONYMITY is disgusting. The concept that he is still alive and well while that poor child died without living through two years is disgusting.
- Danny Brownstein, Washington DC, USA, 12/10/2009 22:38
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What a lovely stepfather I dread to think what a bad one is !. He is only saying this as he's appealing against his sentence which in my view should have been life and I mean life the stupid 12 years given to this revolting human being is no way long enough AND I put money on it that some feeble wishy washy judge will reduce the sentence there is simply no justice in this country anymore it makes me sick !
- Linda Cliff, London, 12/10/2009 21:38
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omg...british justice is rubbish...
if not them then who??? must be jailed for lifE???
- Sylvia, greece, 12/10/2009 21:38
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Any other person wouldn't be able to walk down a street for the shame of what they did...but this "animal"? NO - he cannot at all see that what he/they did was despicable and wicked...this is a too familiar aspect of modern, broken Britain!
- Ali Sichilongo, London, 12/10/2009 21:38
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I imagine he's been told to take this stance by his lawyers. Crazy to think that they, the lawyers, would consider it a huge success if his sentence was reduced. British justice is shocking.
- Ben Farrell, London, 12/10/2009 21:38
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Im also in agreement with Ben Farrell, this was my initial thought and also demonstrates how brutal and dangerous lawyers can be
- Irene Rybinska, London UK, 12/10/2009 21:38
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This demonstrates just how unbalanced and dangerous this sadistic brute is. He should never ever be freed, there is no place in society for this vermin.
- Irene Rybinska, London UK, 12/10/2009 21:38
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Yep - and everyone thought Hitler was a good man until they began to see through his pretence.
- Nowan King, London, 12/10/2009 21:38
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I still can't work out how it's possible to rape a two-year-old. If there's any crime for which the death sentence is the natural and appropriate response, this must surely be it.
- Neil, London, London UK, 12/10/2009 21:38
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This "thing" knowingly inflicted abuse upon Peter until it resulted in his death. This latest claim that he was a "caring" parent absolutely does not wash with me and is nothing but hot air. He is a killer and thus should be treated accordingly. Keep him stay in jail for life!
- Carmen, Espoo, Finland, 12/10/2009 21:38
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If you love someone you dont punch them in the mouth or snap their back...
A child died due to neglect and abuse, he didnt die by being loved.
If Barker thinks he has a right to freedom in the foreseeable future by appealing his sentence Im afraid that's never going to happen. No decent member of society will accept him walking the streets.
Let's have some compassion shown for the children that couldnt defend themselves.
- Killawly, London, 12/10/2009 21:38
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I'm with Neil in London. All this louse can think of is himself, himself, HIMSELF. He isn't one iota sorry and has no sense of shame.
- Roz, France, 12/10/2009 21:38
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As one lawyer said when the media pulled him up on defending and winning a case for a client who was guilty: "Can't you read it says Court of Law, NOT Justice" so I suppose it's just a game for his lawyer, and if he wins against such overwhelming odds it'll only advance his legal career.
- W Joseph, Londoner living & working in the Middle East, 12/10/2009 21:38
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This makes me feel sick. Next he will be saying he has discovered God like Myra Hindley. Mind you, he has been put to work.....in the prison chapel. Nice cushy job eh?
These three MURDERERS, they did not ALLOW him to die, should have life in prison with no internet, play stations, TV or protection and personal trainers on release. I used to love England but now there is no justice and more child deaths.
- Karen Smith, Perth, Australia, 12/10/2009 21:38
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This brings a new meaning to the words love and dote. This man is very, very dangerous and should never be granted an appeal.
- Chrissie, UK, 12/10/2009 21:38
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To Mickinlondon,
I agree with you, but please remember Biggs never served his sentence he escaped prison to live a life in the sun in saftey, so he never was banged up for 30 years. Then when ill came back to be looked after by the N.H.S. .... fact, now he dies a free man.
As for these thugs hard labour is what they need.
Regards from Scarborough.
- John L., Scarborough N.YKS. England. U.K., 12/10/2009 21:38
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it makes me feel sick when i hear him saying that he loved that poor kid.
- Kay, London, 12/10/2009 21:38
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This is jaw dropping. I've never read anything like this, totally unreal. I agree with Irene, but I am not sure what is lower than vermin, but he is it. This guy is pure evil, I hope he rots.
- Alan, London, 12/10/2009 21:38
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This sick minded trio did not allow Peter to die, they killed him. Their sentences were trivial and our laws a laughing stock of the World for now allowing them to appeal against their already trivial sentences which the public purse will pay for. They should never be allowed to appeal or if this infriges on their human rights the Appeal should be allowed and the sentences doubled but our judges are far from reality, our Government resistant to the ordinary hard working decent public. In this case the step father was not loving. Peter was hurt in so many dreadful unthinkable ways. I still have nightmares thinking of how he must have felt. Ronnie Biggs was conceited and not sorry for what he did but he did not kill the train drover and his sentence was harsh to reflect the serious crime but to kill a person, especially helpless ones is completely unforgivable. Do not release him or the others, certainly do not give them new identities to protect them.
My faith in the decency and justice in this country of mine has gone.
- Ann, Chelmsford, UK., 12/10/2009 21:38
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The cowardly thug seeks forgiveness, soon he will tell us all, he was abused as well, and it was not his fault.
Talk about Ronnie Biggs getting 30 years, this gang of child abusing thugs, should get hard labour for life.
- Mickinlondon, london., 12/10/2009 21:38
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