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Men found guilty of baby's death | Men found guilty of baby's death |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two men have been found guilty of causing the death of a 17-month-old boy in Haringey in north London. | |
Jason Owen, 36, from Bromley, and a 32-year-old had denied killing the child in August 2007. He suffered a series of injuries, including a broken back. | Jason Owen, 36, from Bromley, and a 32-year-old had denied killing the child in August 2007. He suffered a series of injuries, including a broken back. |
The boy's mother had pleaded guilty to causing the death of the boy, who was seen about 60 times by social workers, doctors and welfare and family groups. | |
Two social workers and a lawyer have been given warnings over the case. | Two social workers and a lawyer have been given warnings over the case. |
Numerous injuries | Numerous injuries |
Both men were found not guilty of the child's murder or manslaughter at the Old Bailey. | Both men were found not guilty of the child's murder or manslaughter at the Old Bailey. |
They were convicted of the specific charge of "causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person", under section five of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. | They were convicted of the specific charge of "causing or allowing the death of a child or vulnerable person", under section five of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. |
The law was brought in to prevent several adults blaming each other for the death of a child or vulnerable adult. | The law was brought in to prevent several adults blaming each other for the death of a child or vulnerable adult. |
A short life of misery and pain | A short life of misery and pain |
A post-mortem examination revealed the baby, who had lived in Haringey, had suffered numerous injuries including eight fractured ribs and extensive bruising. | A post-mortem examination revealed the baby, who had lived in Haringey, had suffered numerous injuries including eight fractured ribs and extensive bruising. |
The boy was on the child protection register and was seen about twice a week by health or social workers while he was on the register. | The boy was on the child protection register and was seen about twice a week by health or social workers while he was on the register. |
But his mother had told them lies and even smeared him with chocolate to hide bruises. | But his mother had told them lies and even smeared him with chocolate to hide bruises. |
In the 48 hours before the boy was found dead in his blood-spattered cot, a doctor failed to spot his broken spine. | In the 48 hours before the boy was found dead in his blood-spattered cot, a doctor failed to spot his broken spine. |
Police told the mother she would not be prosecuted after being arrested twice for suspected child cruelty. | Police told the mother she would not be prosecuted after being arrested twice for suspected child cruelty. |
She was arrested on 11 December 2006 and 1 June 2007 after referrals from Social Services. | |
A Crown Prosecution Service spokeswoman said: "Due to the conflicting nature of the evidence received after the second arrest, the CPS had no choice but to conclude that there was no realistic prospect of an arrest." | |
Legal advice | Legal advice |
The tragedy involves Haringey Council, which was heavily criticised over the murder of Victoria Climbie in 2000. The eight-year-old died after Haringey care workers and police failed to save her. | The tragedy involves Haringey Council, which was heavily criticised over the murder of Victoria Climbie in 2000. The eight-year-old died after Haringey care workers and police failed to save her. |
The Haringey Local Safeguarding Children Board (LCSB) launched an investigation following the 17-month-old boy's death. | The Haringey Local Safeguarding Children Board (LCSB) launched an investigation following the 17-month-old boy's death. |
The LCSB said following the inquiry, two social workers and a lawyer had been given formal written warnings. | The LCSB said following the inquiry, two social workers and a lawyer had been given formal written warnings. |
Its report into the death said that just over a week before he died, legal advice was that on the information provided, the child should not be taken into care. | Its report into the death said that just over a week before he died, legal advice was that on the information provided, the child should not be taken into care. |
The Crown Prosecution Service reacts to the verdict | The Crown Prosecution Service reacts to the verdict |
It added there were many factors which contributed to the inability of the agencies to understand what was happening to the child. | It added there were many factors which contributed to the inability of the agencies to understand what was happening to the child. |
"With the possible exception of the paediatric assessment of 1 August, none on their own were likely to have enabled further responses that might have prevented the tragic outcome," the report said. | "With the possible exception of the paediatric assessment of 1 August, none on their own were likely to have enabled further responses that might have prevented the tragic outcome," the report said. |
Following the verdict Sharon Shoesmith, chair of Haringey LSCB, said: "Of course I cannot begin to tell you the shock and horror that there is across Haringey. | Following the verdict Sharon Shoesmith, chair of Haringey LSCB, said: "Of course I cannot begin to tell you the shock and horror that there is across Haringey. |
"All the signs were that we were dealing with a mother who had poor parenting skills." | "All the signs were that we were dealing with a mother who had poor parenting skills." |
She said arrangements were made for the mother to go on a parenting course and she seemed to be "co-operating". | She said arrangements were made for the mother to go on a parenting course and she seemed to be "co-operating". |
"The very sad fact is that we can't stop people who are determined to kill children. | "The very sad fact is that we can't stop people who are determined to kill children. |
"I am satisfied that the action that should have been taken was taken." | "I am satisfied that the action that should have been taken was taken." |
Mor Dioum, director of the Victoria Climbie Foundation, said: "This case is worse than Climbie. The signs were there but not followed." | Mor Dioum, director of the Victoria Climbie Foundation, said: "This case is worse than Climbie. The signs were there but not followed." |
Lord Laming, who conducted a review following Victoria's death, told BBC News: "It would be awful wherever it happened, but it seems particularly sad that it has happened in the same area where Victoria experienced this awful cruelty and a terrible death and involved the very same services." | Lord Laming, who conducted a review following Victoria's death, told BBC News: "It would be awful wherever it happened, but it seems particularly sad that it has happened in the same area where Victoria experienced this awful cruelty and a terrible death and involved the very same services." |
Following the convictions Children's Minister Beverley Hughes announced an England-wide independent review of child protection services. | Following the convictions Children's Minister Beverley Hughes announced an England-wide independent review of child protection services. |
She said: "To ensure the reforms the government set out following Lord Laming's inquiry are being implemented systematically, [Schools Secretary] Ed Balls and I have today asked Lord Laming to prepare an independent report of progress being made." | She said: "To ensure the reforms the government set out following Lord Laming's inquiry are being implemented systematically, [Schools Secretary] Ed Balls and I have today asked Lord Laming to prepare an independent report of progress being made." |
Nazi memorabilia | Nazi memorabilia |
A detective in the case described the boyfriend as "sadistic - fascinated with pain" and Nazi memorabilia was found in the house. | A detective in the case described the boyfriend as "sadistic - fascinated with pain" and Nazi memorabilia was found in the house. |
She said the mother was "a slob, completely divorced from reality and put her lover before her child". | She said the mother was "a slob, completely divorced from reality and put her lover before her child". |
Det Supt Caroline Bates said police errors were made which caused a delay at the start of the abuse inquiry, but these had not been significant to the outcome. | Det Supt Caroline Bates said police errors were made which caused a delay at the start of the abuse inquiry, but these had not been significant to the outcome. |
Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital which provided paediatric services to the child, said that Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat, who was involved in the failed clinic check, no longer worked there. | Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital which provided paediatric services to the child, said that Dr Sabah Al-Zayyat, who was involved in the failed clinic check, no longer worked there. |
She said Dr Al-Zayyat was appealing against a decision not to renew her contract at the hospital. | She said Dr Al-Zayyat was appealing against a decision not to renew her contract at the hospital. |
"It is clear that more should have been done when the child was seen by a paediatrician two days before the child died," Dr Collins said. | "It is clear that more should have been done when the child was seen by a paediatrician two days before the child died," Dr Collins said. |
A court order prevents the identification of the baby's mother and her boyfriend. | A court order prevents the identification of the baby's mother and her boyfriend. |
The mother, her boyfriend and Owen will be sentenced on 15 December. | The mother, her boyfriend and Owen will be sentenced on 15 December. |