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THE extraordinary details of how two of Baby P's killers were caught have been revealed.
They were arrested in Epping Forest in a camp site after staff became suspicious when one of them failed to pay the daily charge.
The site manager, Margaret Wright, then kept Steven Barker, Baby Peter's stepfather, occupied for more than an hour by giving him free apple crumble and drinks until police arrived.
Ms Wright, who runs the Debden House site in Loughton, Essex, said she had no idea he and his brother, Jason Owen, were wanted child killers. Police believe they buried a mobile phone with images of the abuse Baby P suffered somewhere in Epping Forest while they camped.
Barker, 33, was the boyfriend of Baby P's mother Tracey Connelly, 28, who along with Owen, 37, have been jailed for causing and allowing the death of the 17-month-old, now identified as Peter Connelly. Peter died in August 2007 after suffering months of abuse. Although he was on Haringey's "at risk" register, social workers and doctors failed to spot his wounds which included a broken back.
Ms Wright kept Barker busy by offering him a meal of meat and vegetables with soft drinks followed by apple crumble and talking to him about wildlife, outdoor pursuits and holidays.
She said: "It was getting dark and we were anxious [the police] wouldn't turn up. I wasn't scared - I was on autopilot. Eventually, around 20 police arrived, with shields, dogs and cars."
Owen and his girlfriend had already fled the campsite but were later tracked down in nearby Theydon Bois. Det Chief Insp Phil Adams praised Ms Wright and Mr Graves. He said: "Without their knowledge, tenacity and professionalism, this task would have proved more difficult."
Reader views (5)
Nicely tucked behind bars??? Not suffering though right? Defeats the purpose if you ask me. What is wrong with Justice System in all countries?? Help the crims and forget the victims!! Seems Child Protection is slack in alot of countries too..(yes referring to Australia too). The money should be going into Child Protection as their resources are stretched and not into feeding and clothing the creeps that did this to him.
We have to change the laws all around the world and only WE CAN DO THIS. Everyone get partitions going and take them to the right authorites to get laws changed. WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE KIDS AND MAKE THIS WORLD A NICER PLACE TO LIVE IN!!!!!
- Eileen, Australia
You're definitely a "half glass empty" person aren't you Roz?
- Mandy, London
Are these people still behind bars? Well there's a surprise, I would have thought they'd be out by now.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Hmm: nicely tucked up behind bars with better facilities than most secondary schools and more spent per capita on their meals than is spent on those for pensioners, soldiers or schoolchildren - and we hope they are looking over their shoulders and not just wreaking more terror by looking over those of other people who may have committed lesser offenses or even simply work there . . .
- Roz, France
No worries, these scumbags are nicely tucked up behind bars, and no doubt permanently looking over their shoulders in terror of retribution.
- Ted, London
