The mum of tragic Baby P has reportedly asked for protection at the North East jail where she's serving time amid fears other prisoners will attack as he release date approaches.
In one of the UK's most shocking child cruelty cases, Tracey Connelly's son Peter, who was known as Baby P, died in agony after suffering 50 horrifying injuries at his home in North London.
The 17-month-old was was found dead in a blood-splattered cot in 2007.
His mum, Connelly, her lover Steven Barker and his brother Jason Owen were all jailed over the little boy's death.
But last week the Parole Board cleared Connelly, who was handed an indeterminate sentence, for release.
And now as she waits to be freed from HMP Low Newton, near Durham City, Connelly has reportedly asked for protection in prison fearing fellow inmates will want to seize one last opportunity to attack her, the Mirror reports
A source said: “Tracey Connelly is paranoid that she will be attacked in the wake of the Parole Board’s decision.
“The publicity around her parole has provoked renewed anger towards her in the prison. She is a marked woman again after keeping her head down for years.
“Tracey believes she will be knifed and is almost afraid to venture out of her cell.”
Baby P's death and the missed opportunities to prevent it left the nation horrified.
Despite 60 visits, social workers never attempted to remove Peter from his mum’s care.
Connelly was convicted of causing or allowing the death of Peter in 2009 and handed an indefinite prison sentence with a minimum of five years.
She was released in 2013, but recalled to jail in 2015 after breaching the terms of her licence by selling naked pictures of herself.
Connelly’s parole hearing – her fourth since being recalled to prison – took place on March 15 and 16 via video.
The Parole Board approved her release and it is thought she will be freed in the coming weeks.
A report on the parole hearing said: “At the time of her offending, risk factors had included Ms Connelly not managing certain aspects of her personality, entering into relationships quickly, prioritising those relationships above anything else, thinking about sex a lot and using sex to help her feel better about herself.
“The panel also considered risk factors to include Ms Connelly’s inability to control extreme emotions, her way of life, her decision making, her low self-esteem, manipulative behaviour, dishonesty, a lack of victim empathy and her difficulties in coping with feelings of anger.”
The report concluded: “After considering the circumstances of her offending and time on licence, progress made in custody, evidence presented at the hearing and the recommendations of witnesses, the panel was satisfied Ms Connelly was suitable for release.
The Ministry of Justice has been contacted but declined to comment.
Barker, who was cleared of murder but convicted of causing Baby P's death, is still serving a life term.
Owen got a minimum three years but returned to jail briefly in 2013 after a parole breach. He is believed to be living under a new identity.
