THE killer of Baby P was captured after quick-thinking staff at the Epping Forest campsite he was staying at delayed him until police arrived, it has emerged.

Steven Barker, 32, had been camping with his brother Jason Owen, and Owen's 15-year-old girlfriend at Debden House Centre, in Debden Road, Loughton, when staff called him into their office when they discovered he was not a paying guest.

They quickly recognised him from a wanted poster, and as he became agitated, realised they needed to delay him before police arrived.

Campsite manager Margaret Wright said: “He told us he needed to go back to his tent to get his bike which was left with two other people. We didn’t know it at the time, but they were his brother and his brother’s girlfriend. We didn’t know who he was or what he had done. Police simply told us he was dangerous and asked whether he had access to any knives.

 “When we found out he was a wanted man and that he was potentially dangerous, we knew we had to keep him here. We sat him on a bench outside and gave him some drinks and dinner, which kept him talking. Then we gave him some pudding. And then another.”

The delaying tactics continued for over four hours as Essex Police and the Met debated over which force should make the arrest.

“It was getting dark and we were anxious they turned up,” said Ms Wright. “This man had all but told me his life story but obviously never made it apparent what crime he had committed.

“Eventually, when it was starting to get quite dark, around 20 police arrived, with shields, dogs and cars. We didn’t know who this man was but it was clear he was wanted.”

With Barker arrested, Jason Owens and his girlfriend fled prompting a police man-hunt. They were later tracked down at a bus stop in Theydon Bois.

The brothers were found guilty on November 11 of causing or allowing the death of Baby P.

It is thought Barker went to the campsite to bury a mobile phone containing images of the abuse of Baby P, whose real name is Peter Connelly.