Parent to appeal over baby’s death sentence

● Judge rules life support should be stopped but family want treatment in US

The devastated parents of Charlie Gard want to mount an appeal after a judge ruled that doctors could stop lifesupport treatment for their gravely-ill baby against their wishes, their lawyer has said.

Specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London say eight-month-old Charlie, who suffers from a rare genetic condition and has brain damage, should move to a palliative care regime.

But his parents, postman Chris Gard and Connie Yates, of Bedfont, west London, who are both in their early 30s, want to be allowed to take him to a hospital in the US for a treatment trial. Mr Justice Francis ruled with the “heaviest of hearts” that life-support treatment should stop after analysing evidence at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London and visiting Charlie in hospital.

Charlie, who was born on 4 August, 2016, has a form of mitochondrial disease, a condition which causes progressive muscle weakness and brain damage.

A barrister representing doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Charlie is being treated, told the court that the baby boy was unable to cry and was deaf.

His parents launched an appeal on the Gofundme website two months ago, saying they needed £1.2 million to fund the US treatment.

They reached their target on Sunday after more than 80,000 people donated.

After hearing the decision, barrister Pravin Fernando told the judge that the couple wanted to challenge his ruling in the Court of Appeal.

Solicitor Laura Hobey-hamsher, who works for law firm Bindmans, said outside court that the couple would have three weeks to launch a challenge.

She said: “Connie and Chris are devastated by today’s decision.”

She added: “They are struggling to understand why the court has not at least given Charlie the chance of treatment in America.”

Lawyers representing Great Ormond Street said treatment would continue until appeal decisions had been made.

Giving his ruling, the judge said he had decided to grant applications by Great Ormond Street and paid tribute to Charlie’s parents. He said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts, but with complete conviction for Charlie’s best interests, that I find it is in Charlie’s best interests that I accede to these applications and rule that Great Ormond Street may lawfully withdraw all treatment save for palliative care to permit Charlie to die with dignity.

“I want to thank the team of experts and carers at Great Ormond Street.” 0 Charlie Gard has a form of mitochondrial disease