Man goes on trial for murder of seven-year-old daughter

An antiques dealer has gone on trial accused of murdering his seven-year-old daughter by strangling her with a dressing gown cord.

Robert Peters, 56, attacked Sophia while they were alone at the family home in Wimbledon, south-west London, on 3 November last year.

Peters, of Blenheim Road, denies murder but has pleaded guilty to Sophia’s manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

He appeared before Mr Justice Edis for trial at the Old Bailey on Monday.

The senior judge told jurors the allegation was that Peters murdered his daughter and warned it would be a “difficult and upsetting” case.

He said the issue was one of diminished responsibility and jurors would have to decide some key questions on whether Peters suffered an abnormality of mental function.

“Inevitably when you hear about the death of a small child your emotions will be engaged.

“No one expects you not to have an emotional reaction to evidence of that kind.

“However, I do say to you you will not be assisted in deciding these four questions by relying on your emotional reactions to what happened to Sophia,” the judge said.

He advised them to approach the case calmly and impartially.

Prosecutor Mukul Chawla QC will outline the crown’s case later on Monday.