Lodger who allowed Baby P to die could be released from jail this week

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 09:57 EST, 3 August 2011

One of the trio jailed over tragic north London child Baby P's death could walk free from prison this week.

Jason Owen, 39, is serving a six-year sentence for causing or allowing the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly exactly four years ago.

He is expected to be eligible for release at the end of this week, halfway through his jail term, taking into account the 289 days he spent in custody on remand before he was sentenced.

Soon to be freed: Jason Owen was convicted of causing or allowing the death of Baby P, right, but could be released from jail this week
Soon to be freed: Jason Owen was convicted of causing or allowing the death of Baby P, right, but could be released from jail this week

Soon to be freed: Jason Owen was convicted of causing or allowing the death of Baby P, right, but could be released from jail this week

The Sun reported that the former lodger who was living with the child's mother Tracey Connelly and her boyfriends Steven Barker will be freed on Friday.

The newspaper also reported that Owen could receive state-funded plastic surgery in an attempt to conceal his identity and protect him from attacks from outraged members of the public.

Owen, from Bromley, Kent, was a lodger at the home of his brother Steven Barker in Tottenham, where Peter died on August 3, 2007.

In May 2009, an Old Bailey judge gave Owen an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for public protection with a minimum term of three years for his part in the boy's death.

This meant he could apply for parole after three years but would only be released once the Parole Board was satisfied he no longer posed a risk to the public.

Evil: Steven Barker, partner of the toddler's mother Tracey Connelly, right, both remain in prison
Evil: Steven Barker, partner of the toddler's mother Tracey Connelly, right, both remain in prison

Evil: Steven Barker, partner of the toddler's mother Tracey Connelly, right, both remain in prison

However, Owen challenged his sentence at the Court of Appeal and in October 2009 was ordered to serve a fixed six-year jail term instead.

It is now four years since Peter's death at the hands of his mother Connelly, her boyfriend Barker and Owen.

He suffered more than 50 injuries despite being on the at-risk register of Haringey Council in north London and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals over the final eight months of his life. 

Injuries: Baby P died after sustaining a catalogue of wounds to his head, face and body

Injuries: Baby P died after sustaining a catalogue of wounds to his head, face and body

The news of Owen's release comes a day after the Supreme Court ruled the head of social services at Harringey Council Sharon Shoesmith was unlawfully dismissed by then Secretary of State for Education Ed Balls in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Miss Shoesmith, 58, has expressed ‘sorrow’ for Peter, but never apologised for her role in what happened.

The courts have ruled that Mr Balls acted without giving Miss Shoesmith the opportunity to put her case.

He announced her dismissal without compensation live on TV in a press conference – a move that is now set to prove highly costly.

Employment lawyers say she could receive as much as £1million.

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