Antiques Dealer Guilty of Killing His Seven-Year-Old Daughter
Robert Peters, 56, a wealthy antiques dealer from Raynes Park, has pleaded guilty to murdering his seven-year-old daughter, Sophia. The confession came three days into his Old Bailey trial.
Chilling Crime at Home
On the morning of November 3, 2017, Peters was left alone with Sophia. He later admitted to police that he had planned the killing for weeks. After other family members left early, he strangled Sophia with a dressing-gown belt.
Believing this was his last chance to carry out the horrific act, Peters called 999 shortly after, calmly confessing: “There’s a murder. I have killed her.”
Rapid Police Response and Tragic Outcome
Officers arrived within five minutes to find the house’s front door open. Peters led them upstairs and admitted his crime.
Paramedics tried to save Sophia at the scene and rushed her to St George’s Hospital. Despite their efforts, she died the following day. The post-mortem revealed she died of brain damage caused by strangulation.
Justice for Sophia
Peters was arrested immediately and charged with attempted murder, later upgraded to murder. He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court before being remanded to the Old Bailey.
“Sophia was an innocent seven-year-old girl, much loved by her mother, brother and friends. She was tragically murdered by the hands of her own father in the most frightening way,” said Detective Inspector Helen Rance.
“Robert Peters has shown no remorse and initially pleaded diminished responsibility. But with strong evidence against him, he changed his plea to guilty. I hope this conviction brings some closure to Sophia’s family.”
Sentencing is set for Monday, 30 April at the Old Bailey.
