Daniel Pelka : Coventry faces serious case review following child abuse conviction

Information that emerged during the murder trial following the death of four-year-old Daniel Pelka will feed into an ongoing serious case review.
Daniel was abused at the hands of his mum Magdelena Luczak and her lover Mariusz Krezolek.

The Coventry Safeguarding Children Board, which is made up of senior representatives from agencies such as police, probation, health, education, children’s social care, adult social care and the NSPCC, said today it aimed to publish a final review ‘within six weeks’.

When Daniel first attended school in September 2011, staff had no concerns about his appearance but there was a ‘marked deterioration’ in the boy over the following months as he was locked in a box room at his home.

Chairman of the Coventry Safeguarding Children Board Amy Weir said: ‘The trial has shown how Daniel died at the hands of two cold-hearted and violent people – the two people whom Daniel should have expected to protect and look after him.

‘Instead they subjected him to a cycle of cruelty and violence while aiming to deceive everyone else who came into contact with him.

‘We are very satisfied with the outcome of the trial and pay tribute, in particular, to the incredible bravery of Daniel’s sibling, who provided crucial evidence.

‘Alongside the police investigation, the Coventry Safeguarding Children Board has been carrying out a serious case review into Daniel’s death.

‘The review, to date, has scrutinised and challenged the actions of all the agencies and organisations that had an involvement in Daniel’s life.

‘It has considered whether more could or should have been done to protect Daniel. However, new information has emerged during the trial. Therefore, the safeguarding children board will consider the work completed so far on the review in the light of all the evidence presented in court.’