Baby P's Mum Tracey Connelly Has Been Cleared For Release From Jail

Tracey Connelly has been cleared for release from prison after succeeding in her fourth parole hearing.

Connelly was jailed in 2009 for a minimum term of five years following the death of her seventeen-month-old son Peter, known publicly as Baby P, at their home in Tottenham, north London, in August 2007.

The 40-year-old was found to have caused or allowed the death of her son, who suffered more than 50 injuries at the hands of her partner Steven Barker and his brother Jason Owen.

The injuries took place despite the fact the young boy was on the at-risk register and received 60 visits from social workers, police, and health professionals over eight months prior to his death.

Alamy

Connelly pleaded guilty to the offence and spent years behind bars before initially being released in 2013.

Two years later, she was sent back to prison for breaking the terms of her indefinite sentence by selling pornographic pictures of herself online.

Connelly has previously sought release a number of times, with her approval today (30 March) coming after three failed attempts in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

A statement from the Ministry of Justice Parole board reads: "We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Tracey Connolly following an oral hearing.

"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

"Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority."

The decision on Connelly's release was initially set to take place in October 2021, after the 40-year-old argued she was no longer a danger to the public. However, a delay to the hearing meant she had to stay behind bars over Christmas.

Alamy

Speaking at the time, a source cited by The Mirror said: "Her case is so emotive that the Parole Board has asked for more information about the psychological assessments she has been taking in prison before a decision is reached.

"This does not mean the board is minded to rubber-stamp her release, it just means that there are some questions that require answers before a conclusion is reached."

Connelly will be released within a matter of weeks following the approval from the Parole Board, which was told by witnesses Connolly now poses a low risk of reoffending.

Barker was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison for his role in Baby P's death, while Owen was jailed for six years and has since been released back into the community.