A prominent antiques dealer has admitted strangling his seven-year-old daughter with a dressing gown cord.

Robert Peters, 55, allegedly attacked Sophia while they were alone at the family home in Wimbledon, south-west London, on 3 November last year.

Sophia was rushed to St George’s hospital in Tooting and placed on a life-support machine, but she died the following day.

Peters, of Blenheim Road, appeared before the judge, Nicholas Hilliard QC, for a plea hearing at the Old Bailey. He denied murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

The prosecutor, Deanna Heer, said the plea was not accepted and there would be a trial at the Old Bailey from 23 April, which is expected to last for up to two weeks.

The defendant, who appeared in the dock wearing a grey sweatshirt, was remanded in custody.



Peters is reported to be a prominent dealer in Asian antiques who runs a Kensington-based business with his brother.

The Telegraph reported that, in 2010, the brothers purchased a Chinese vase that had an asking price of £136 but which sparked a bidding war and eventually sold for nearly £100,000.

Peters’ brother said at the time the vase was a “bargain” and would likely be sold on to a Chinese client.