An MP has praised a group of regional newspaper journalists for their work in closing a legal loophole that could have enabled the killers of Baby P to evade justice.

Four-year-old John Smith, from Brighton, left, died on Christmas Eve, 1999 after receiving 54 wounds to his body.

But murder charges against his adoptive parents, Simon and Michelle McWilliam, were dropped as it could not be shown which of them had struck the fatal blow. Instead the pair were jailed for eight years for cruelty.

The case, described as “tragic and dreadful” by the then health secretary Alan Milburn, led to a successful campaign spearheaded by The Argus, Brighton, to tighten the law.

As a result of their efforts, those responsible for the death of Baby P in Haringey were able to be charged with the new offence of causing or allowing his death, which carries a maximum 14-year jail term.

Without the change in the law five years ago, Baby P’s mother, boyfriend and lodger would have faced lesser charges of cruelty and possibly more lenient punishments.

Brighton MP Des Turner said: “Prior to the change in the law it meant people literally could get away with murdering children, that all they had to do was remain silent or accuse the other person of being responsible, and because the court couldn’t decide which person was culpable, all would be freed.

“It was perverse, but, thankfully, the campaigning has changed all that.”

The Argus launched a “Justice for John” campaign in conjunction with his aunt, Linda Terry, and its then crime reporter Phil Mills personally lobbied two Home Secretaries, David Blunkett and Jack Straw, about the legal loophole which the case had shown up.

Eventually the government announced the creation of the new offence in the 2003 Queen’s Speech.

Ms Terry said: “Baby P’s case was just appalling but there is some satisfaction that the guilty have been brought to justice thanks to what we did.

“I know the new law sadly will never stop these deaths happening but it does mean there will be better justice. And it means our John did not die in vain.”

Comments

kathleen morris (28/12/2008 14:42:08)
I’s an improvement but the law still requires stronger and tougher sentences for these offences and life to mean life

sylvia (31/01/2009 20:23:52)
what these people did is actually WORSE than murder and this should be reflected in their sentences but as normal in this country….no money was involved therefore no high sentenses will be give, thye will be out before the canoe fraud man, JUSTICE???? i dont think so! life means less than money after all dont it, bullshit justice of uk