TRACEY CONNELLY FROM HARINGEY AND TOTTENHAM RE-ENTERING PUBLIC LIFE AFTER PRISON RELEASE

In July 2022, Tracey Connelly, the woman infamous for her role in the tragic death of Baby Peter, was once again in the public eye following her release from prison. At the age of 40, Connelly was seen in Haringey, Tottenham, marking her return to society after a series of legal battles and multiple incarcerations. Her parole bid, which was her fourth attempt, had been denied in previous years—2015, 2017, and 2019—due to officials' ongoing assessment that she still posed a significant threat to the safety of the public.

Initially released on license in 2013, Connelly's freedom was short-lived as she was later re-incarcerated after engaging in the sale of nude photographs of herself, which were linked to her notorious crimes. Despite her setbacks, she managed to win her case in March, leading to her release in early July. On that Wednesday, under the cover of darkness, she was transported from Low Newton prison in County Durham to a bail hostel at a secret location in the North of England.

Her first act of freedom was a trip to Aldi, where she purchased a zero-sugar Professor Peppy drink along with various snacks. Now weighing nearly 20 stone and wearing a face mask, Connelly struggled with her shopping bags as she returned to her bail accommodation. She was seen at a discreet location, indicating the ongoing restrictions placed upon her, including 20 license conditions such as wearing an electronic tag and declaring any new relationships. Any violation of these conditions could result in her being sent back to prison.

Her history of incarceration is marked by a series of troubling episodes. In February 2016, she was subjected to an emergency weight loss regime while in prison at HMP Styal in Cheshire, where she was declared dangerously overweight. Weighing over 20 stone, she was compelled to participate in daily exercise routines, including visits to the gym, sauna, and outdoor exercise yards, after prison doctors warned her that her health was at risk.

Connelly’s notoriety stems from her involvement in the death of her 17-month-old son, Baby Peter, who suffered over 50 injuries over an eight-month period. Despite being on Haringey Council’s child protection register and numerous visits from social workers, police, and health professionals, she failed to protect her son from the abuse inflicted by her partner Steven Barker and his brother Jason Owen. Peter’s death in August 2007 shocked the nation, as he was found in his cot, lifeless and wearing only a nappy, with injuries that included broken ribs, bruises, cuts, and severe head trauma.

Her criminal record includes being convicted of 'causing or allowing' Peter’s death, and she was sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison. She was released in October 2013 after serving her minimum term but was soon recalled to custody for breaching her parole conditions by selling pornographic images of herself. Her release was met with public outrage, with her parents, Mary O’Connor and Richard Johnson, publicly stating she should never have been freed.

Throughout her incarceration, Connelly’s behavior has been marked by violent incidents and controversial conduct. In August 2013, she was assaulted in prison by fellow inmate Stacey Lonsdale, who punched her 14 times and kneed her in the head, leaving her with a black eye and bruises. Lonsdale, who was serving time for burglary, expressed her disdain for Connelly, claiming she deserved such treatment for her role in Baby Peter’s death.

Further complicating her story, in August 2012, she was denied parole after being deemed still dangerous to the public, despite having completed her minimum sentence. Psychologists and probation officers assessed her, and the verdict was that she remained manipulative and a threat, leading to her continued detention. Her mother, Mary O’Connor, strongly opposed her release, insisting she should remain in prison forever.

In the years following her release, Connelly’s conduct has continued to attract media attention. Reports have detailed her attempts to engage with women in her bail hostel, inviting them into showers for lesbian encounters, and attempting to flirt with residents’ boyfriends over the phone. She has also gained weight, reaching approximately 24 stone, and spends much of her time watching television and eating chocolate, with little motivation to reintegrate into society.

Her case remains a stark reminder of the failures in social services and the tragic consequences of neglect, as Baby Peter’s death continues to evoke public outrage and calls for justice. Connelly’s ongoing legal status and her future remain uncertain, with authorities closely monitoring her compliance with parole conditions and her potential risk to society.