Stepfather of Baby P loses latest bid to be freed from jail

Baby P died from horrific injuries in 2007

The stepdad of Baby P has lost his latest bid to be freed from jail. Steven Barker was locked up for 12 years in 2009 for causing or allowing the death of 17-month-old Peter Connelly.

The tot's injuries included a broken back, fractured shinbone, damage to the head, and toes blackened from cigarette burns. He died in Tottenham, north London, in 2007.

Barker was also handed a life sentence and ordered to serve a minimum term of 10 years after being convicted of rape at a separate trial. He has unsuccessfully applied to the Parole Board for freedom four times.

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The panel decided that he should remain in a closed prison. On Tuesday, the Parole Board said: "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.

"Nor did the panel recommend to the Secretary of State that Steven Barker should be transferred to an open prison. Given that key areas of risk remain to be addressed, the panel considered that he was appropriately located in a closed prison."

Barker will face another parole review in about two years. Baby P's mother Tracey Connelly, 42, was jailed at the Old Bailey in 2009 for causing or allowing the death of her son.

But she was recalled to prison two years after being released for breaching the terms of her licence in September.