Mother sues council over son's brain damage

A MOTHER yesterday started High Court action for damages against Surrey County Council and a registered childminder she says are to blame for her son being left brain damaged and partially sighted.

Cora Dowling, 33, claims the council was negligent in allowing her to place her six-month- old baby Thomas with Christine Walton.

She also alleges Mrs Walton and her husband Martin, of Ashford, Surrey, are responsible for Thomas's injuries.

They took Thomas to hospital in September 1989 after he became pale, floppy and unresponsive during a nappy change. He was in such a serious condition he was baptised.

Bleeding behind the eyes was diagnosed and he was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, where doctors said his injuries were caused by violent shaking or a direct blow. It was accepted by police and social services that Ms Dowling, of Ashford, was not to blame, her counsel, Lionel Swift QC, said.

The hearing was adjourned until today.