Mother’s fury over virus that killed son

SAMMY Woodhouse was the victim of appalling crimes in appalling circumstances. How many of us would have the bravery to fight for change after what she has been through?

When Sammy was trying to get care for her son, who has complex needs, her tormentor had the right to be notified of the proceedings and could have applied through the courts for access to the child.

That’s despite the fact he had been convicted and sentenced to 35 years for his part in a child-grooming gang and his rape of Sammy.

In bravely telling her story, she is fighting for the most vulnerable people in our society.

Most would agree that it is completely wrong to notify a rapist of a case involving a child when they have been convicted of raping the mother. They have no parental responsibility for the child and are a risk to the safety of the child in question.

We cannot allow the law to be used to inflict further trauma on victims.

That’s why, as an MP, I’m working with this remarkable woman to strengthen the law so this never happens again.

We need to look at amending the laws to ensure convicted rapists do not have a role in a child’s future, including removing their right to be notified of decisions being made about the victim’s child and to apply through the courts for access. We are calling on the Government to work with us to bring about a definitive change in the law so that it is crystal clear – the rights of victims supersede those of convicted rapists.

Sammy is a woman of remarkable bravery. In the worst circumstances imaginable she has used her experiences to fight for change for women like her. The Government must listen. A MOTHER has slammed a hospital after her four-year-old son died less than 24 hours after being sent home in agony.

Katrina Farnell claimed she was “fobbed off” by staff who told her to give little Sheldon a dose of Calpol “if he needed it”.

The youngster had been discharged after spending two days on a ward with what Katrina, 23, believed was a serious viral infection.

The family were still awaiting blood tests when his condition deteriorated and he was in so much pain he could not stand up.

His mother rushed him back to hospital, where he was put on life support but he died of suspected sepsis.

Heartbroken Katrina said: “I blame the hospital for Sheldon’s death. They should have saved him.

Shaking

“If they had given us his blood test results in an hour like they said he would still be here.

“I feel like they didn’t take me seriously. They practically let my baby boy die.”

Katrina first took Sheldon to Sunderland Royal Hospital last Friday.

She said: “On Sunday they gave him an iron infusion and said we could take him home – and to give him Calpol if I thought he needed it.

“I was questioning them about everything I thought was wrong.

“He was talking rubbish, he was shaking and his arms and face were swollen.

“I knew he wasn’t well. They shouldn’t have let him go.”

Sheldon’s grandfather Gary Farnell, 54, said the family were now demanding answers from hospital bosses.

City Hospitals Sunderland Foundation Trust said a “robust” review had begun.