Steven Barker, the stepfather of Baby P, who died following months of abuse, has been denied parole and will remain in prison. Barker was sentenced to 12 years in 2009 for causing or allowing the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly in Tottenham, north London, in 2007.
In addition to his sentence for Baby P's death, Barker was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 10 years after being convicted of rape in a separate trial.
On Tuesday, the Parole Board announced its decision, stating: “After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody, and the evidence presented in the dossier, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public."
The panel also declined to recommend Barker’s transfer to an open prison, noting that key areas of risk remained unresolved. “The panel considered that he was appropriately located in a closed prison,” the statement added.
Barker is expected to face another parole review in about two years.