Prominent London antiques dealer charged over death of girl, seven
Suspect was accused of attempted murder before the child died in hospital from her injuries
ONE of Britain’s most prominent dealers of oriental antiques has been charged in connection with the death of a seven-year-old girl.
Robert Peters, 55, was initially charged with the attempted murder of the girl after she was found with “critical injuries” at a house in Wimbledon, south-west London, but she later died in hospital.
The child had been treated by medics at the property after emergency services were called.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that the girl died on Saturday morning in hospital, and that she and the suspect were known to each other.
A court order put in place while the girl was fighting for her life in hospital prevents the girl from being identified in media reports.
Peters and his twin brother, who are understood to run an antiques firm in Kensington, rose to fame after they bought a rare Chinese vase.
Their west London business specialises in oriental ceramics and artworks. In 2010 the brothers purchased the Chinese vase, which had an asking price of just £136, but sparked a bidding war and eventually sold for nearly £100,000.
Peters’ brother said at the time that the vase was a “bargain” and would probably be sold to a Chinese client.
An acquaintance at the business said neither brother had been in to work on Saturday.
Peters was remanded in custody after he appeared before magistrates charged with attempted murder on Saturday morning. He will next appear at Kingston Crown Court on Friday December 1.
Police confirmed later that the girl died in hospital shortly after 10.30am on Saturday.
Neighbours spoke of their horror following the incident in the usually quiet street, where homes sell for upwards of £1 million.
One said: “I got woken up by sirens, that was all. I’m really sad, it’s usually quiet but they were new. He was new because the people there had moved out. I was seriously shocked because it’s on our doorstep. He looked a perfectly nice man.”
Another neighbour, who did not give her name, said the area has a “real sense of community” and there are many families with young children.
She said: “It’s really sad, really tragic. Something like that should never happen to a seven-year-old girl.
“There were lots of police cars. There were three ambulances and 15 or 16 police officers.
“We heard the sirens. There were guys in blue forensic suits hanging out the front.”