Monday 22 October 2007

SOCIAL SERVICES CLEARED OF BLAME

Full Story:
http://www.stopinjusticenow.com/News_0435.htm

An inquest yesterday cleared social services of any blame for the death of baby Perrin Barlow in Plymouth five years ago.
Perrin died of natural causes to which neglect contributed, coroner Nigel Meadows said.
But the neglect was the failure of Perrin's mother Stephanie Horrocks and her partner Mark McAndrew to provide adequate and timely care.
"Neglect does not reflect on the involvement of social services, health visitors, medical or other professionals working in the background," Mr Meadows said.
After the inquest Margaret Gibbons, who gave evidence on the first day, said she was very angry.
"We have spent the past three days in a court where evidence was presented that was at odds with what I believe to be the case," said Mrs Gibbons, who works in a corner shop used by the family.
Mrs Gibbons, who saw Horrocks and McAndrew three times a week, said: "I think the baby should have been taken away at an early age.
"Some people are capable of having a good family life even though they are on drugs, but Stephanie and Mark were not.
"The one thing that wasn't brought up was the fact that the little girls were starving. They were always hungry and always asking for food.
"One time Stephanie was distressed because she only had enough for a packet of custard creams and that was their tea."
Former Plymouth coroner Nigel Meadows returned this week to finish the inquiry he began five years ago.

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