JASON OWEN FROM BROMLEY AND HARINGEY FREED EARLY DESPITE DANGERS INHERENT IN HIS CASE
| Red Rose Database
Haringey Bromley Rapist
In a highly controversial decision, Jason Owen, the man convicted of causing the death of Baby Peter in Tottenham, North London, has been released from prison three months earlier than his original sentence, despite ongoing concerns about his potential threat to public safety. Owen, who was sentenced to six years for his role in the tragic death of the 17-month-old toddler, was incarcerated for his involvement in a case that shocked the nation and drew widespread condemnation.
Owen's crime involved neglect and allowing the young child to suffer fatal injuries at his residence in Tottenham on August 3, 2007. The toddler, Peter Connelly, endured over fifty injuries, including a broken back, and was found dead in a blood-stained cot. Despite being on the at-risk register and receiving numerous visits from social workers, police, and health professionals over an eight-month period, the warning signs failed to prevent the tragedy.
Initially, Owen was released on parole in 2011 after serving half of his six-year sentence, but he was recalled to prison within a year for breaching the terms of his parole conditions. His early release this time has sparked intense debate, especially given that he remains classified as a danger to the public. According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice, the Parole Board only approves the re-release of offenders like Owen once they are satisfied that the individual can be safely managed within the community. Owen is currently residing in a bail hostel in the south of England under an assumed name, with plans to move into a taxpayer-funded bedsit in the coming weeks.
Sources indicate that Owen, now 42 years old, was under constant threat from fellow inmates due to the nature of his conviction. His background includes a history of addiction to crack cocaine and previous convictions for arson. At the time of Peter Connelly’s death, Owen was living at the same house with his brother, Stephen Barker, and the child's mother, Tracey Connelly.
Criminal justice expert Harry Fletcher explained that Owen’s early release was not motivated by leniency or a belief that he was no longer dangerous, but rather to facilitate supervised monitoring. Fletcher emphasized that probation officers would keep a close watch on Owen in the coming weeks to minimize any risk of reoffending. Nevertheless, concerns persist among officials and the public about the potential dangers posed by Owen, especially given the brutal injuries inflicted on Peter and the history of missed intervention opportunities.
In addition to Owen’s case, his accomplices have faced their own sentences. Stephen Barker, Owen’s brother, was sentenced to 12 years for his role in Peter’s death and later received a 10-year sentence for the rape of a two-year-old girl. Tracey Connelly, Peter’s mother, was released from prison in November 2013 after serving time for her part in the child's death. She sought to secure an anonymity order similar to those granted to other high-profile offenders, but her efforts were unsuccessful.
The case has continued to generate media attention, with reports highlighting the failures of the social services and law enforcement agencies involved. Owen’s release has also raised questions about the adequacy of current public protection measures, especially given the ongoing threat from vigilantes and the potential for retribution. Police have been advised to scale down surveillance efforts once Owen is fully released, citing concerns that excessive monitoring could lead to accusations of harassment and possible legal challenges in the European Court of Human Rights.
As Owen begins his new life under a false identity, the debate over justice, public safety, and the rights of offenders remains intense. The tragic death of Baby Peter continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant social services and the complexities involved in managing offenders convicted of such heinous crimes.
Owen's crime involved neglect and allowing the young child to suffer fatal injuries at his residence in Tottenham on August 3, 2007. The toddler, Peter Connelly, endured over fifty injuries, including a broken back, and was found dead in a blood-stained cot. Despite being on the at-risk register and receiving numerous visits from social workers, police, and health professionals over an eight-month period, the warning signs failed to prevent the tragedy.
Initially, Owen was released on parole in 2011 after serving half of his six-year sentence, but he was recalled to prison within a year for breaching the terms of his parole conditions. His early release this time has sparked intense debate, especially given that he remains classified as a danger to the public. According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Justice, the Parole Board only approves the re-release of offenders like Owen once they are satisfied that the individual can be safely managed within the community. Owen is currently residing in a bail hostel in the south of England under an assumed name, with plans to move into a taxpayer-funded bedsit in the coming weeks.
Sources indicate that Owen, now 42 years old, was under constant threat from fellow inmates due to the nature of his conviction. His background includes a history of addiction to crack cocaine and previous convictions for arson. At the time of Peter Connelly’s death, Owen was living at the same house with his brother, Stephen Barker, and the child's mother, Tracey Connelly.
Criminal justice expert Harry Fletcher explained that Owen’s early release was not motivated by leniency or a belief that he was no longer dangerous, but rather to facilitate supervised monitoring. Fletcher emphasized that probation officers would keep a close watch on Owen in the coming weeks to minimize any risk of reoffending. Nevertheless, concerns persist among officials and the public about the potential dangers posed by Owen, especially given the brutal injuries inflicted on Peter and the history of missed intervention opportunities.
In addition to Owen’s case, his accomplices have faced their own sentences. Stephen Barker, Owen’s brother, was sentenced to 12 years for his role in Peter’s death and later received a 10-year sentence for the rape of a two-year-old girl. Tracey Connelly, Peter’s mother, was released from prison in November 2013 after serving time for her part in the child's death. She sought to secure an anonymity order similar to those granted to other high-profile offenders, but her efforts were unsuccessful.
The case has continued to generate media attention, with reports highlighting the failures of the social services and law enforcement agencies involved. Owen’s release has also raised questions about the adequacy of current public protection measures, especially given the ongoing threat from vigilantes and the potential for retribution. Police have been advised to scale down surveillance efforts once Owen is fully released, citing concerns that excessive monitoring could lead to accusations of harassment and possible legal challenges in the European Court of Human Rights.
As Owen begins his new life under a false identity, the debate over justice, public safety, and the rights of offenders remains intense. The tragic death of Baby Peter continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant social services and the complexities involved in managing offenders convicted of such heinous crimes.