Baby P's father speaks of trauma

LONDON (Reuters) - The natural father of Baby P, the toddler who died after suffering months of abuse, said on Friday he hoped the conviction of those responsible would bring closure to the "very traumatic" time the family had suffered.

Earlier this week, the boyfriend of P's mother and another man, lodger Jason Owen, 36, were found guilty of causing or allowing the death of a child. The baby's mother had already admitted the same charges.

London's Old Bailey court heard that the 17-month-old baby had suffered a broken back and had more than 40 injuries at the time of his death in August last year.

Baby P had been used as "punch bag" and resembled a car crash victim, the court heard.

"The verdicts will help to bring closure for what has been a very traumatic time for me, P's family and indeed all those who knew and were close to him," the baby's father said in a statement released through his lawyer.

"Those who systematically tortured P and killed him kept it a secret not just from me but from all the people who visited the house up until P's death.

"Even after he died, they lied to cover up their abuse."

He said he loved his son deeply and recalled how the baby would bounce up and down in his pram, and give him hugs and kisses.

Details of the case have provoked a storm of criticism directed at Haringey Council. Baby P had been seen by social workers and doctors 60 times before his death, and the mother had also been arrested, but no action was taken.