Seven-year-old ‘was strangled with dressing gown cord’

A wealthy antiques dealer allegedly strangled his seven-year-old daughter to death at their £1 million home, a court heard.

Robert Peters, 55, wrapped the cord of a dressing gown around Sophia’s neck and left her critically injured in Raynes Park, southwest London, at around 8am on 3 November, it is claimed.

Peters was arrested and charged with attempted murder as doctors battled to save his daughter’s life in hospital.

The charge is set to be upgraded to murder after Sophia died on the morning of 4 November, the Old Bailey heard today (weds).

Prosecutor Deanna Heer said: ‘The defendant began to make preparations for the killing by taking the dressing gown cord which was later found tied around Sohpia’s neck.’

Three times married Peters, who runs an antiques business with his twin brother Richard in Kensington, didn’t appear in court for the brief administrative hearing.

He had recently moved to his home in Blenheim Street, Raynes Park, with Sophia’s Thai mum Krittiya and is said to have business assets of £1.3million.

Peters, of Blenheim Street, Raynes Park, southwest London, was remanded in custody until his next appearance at the Old Bailey on 10 November.