Charlotte Newton THE mother of Baby P appealed for mercy today, the day before she is due to be sentenced for causing or allowing his death. The 27-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wrote a letter to Judge Stephen Kramer which was read out

Charlotte Newton

THE mother of Baby P appealed for mercy today, the day before she is due to be sentenced for causing or allowing his death.

The 27-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wrote a letter to Judge Stephen Kramer QC which was read out at the Old Bailey today.

In it, she admitted that she was not fully open with social workers and prevented them from protecting Peter.

Paul Mendelle QC defending her, suggested that the woman did not tell social workers her boyfriend was living with her so that she could keep her benefits; and not to cover up the abuse.

"I'm writing this letter as I'm not sure of a better way to express my regret," she said.

"I accept I failed my son Peter for which I have pleaded guilty.

"By not being fully open with the social workers I stopped them from being able to do a full job.

"As a direct result of this my son got hurt and sadly lost his short life.

"I'm never going to see my lovely son grow into the lovely sweet man I believe he would have been."

She added: "I have lost all that is dear to me and now every day of my life is full of guilt and trying to come to terms with my failure as a mother.

"I punish myself on a daily basis and there is not a day that goes by when I do not cry at some point.

"I have let down my family, ex-husband, and so importantly my darling son.

"Whilst I appreciate I am going to be given a custodial sentence I would like to say I'm sorry for the pain and suffering my failure has led to.

"I can only hope and pray that my family, ex-husband included, can one day forgive me [for] my mistakes.

"However, I can never forgive myself for my shortcomings and am truly sorry."

As her statement was being read out in the Old Bailey, three social workers who were sacked after Peter's death appealed against their dismissals.

Haringey Council's deputy director of children, Cecilia Hitchen, social worker Maria Ward and team manager Gillie Christou were dismissed in April and announced today that they will appeal.

Baby Peter's mother, her 32-year-old boyfriend and their 37-year-old lodger Jason Owen, of Bromley, Kent, will be sentenced for causing or allowing Peter's death tomorrow.

The mother's boyfriend will also be sentenced for the rape of a two-year-old girl.