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Sally Roberts in court over son's cancer treatment Court delays ruling over brain tumour boy Neon Roberts
(about 9 hours later)
A judge will rule later on whether a seven-year-old boy with a brain tumour should receive cancer treatment against his mother's wishes. A judge has postponed a decision on whether a mother should be allowed to prevent her son from receiving radiotherapy for brain cancer.
Sally Roberts went into hiding with her son Neon on Wednesday, sparking a nationwide search before both were found unharmed. Sally Roberts, 37, has been told seven-year-old Neon could die if he did not receive the treatment.
She has been told he could die if he does not receive radiotherapy but says she fears it could do long-term harm. She said she feared the treatment could do long-term harm.
Mr Justice Bodey will make a judgement at the High Court in London. At the High Court in London, Mr Justice Bodey said he would rule at a hearing beginning on 18 December - unless agreement could be reached beforehand.
Ms Roberts told the court on Friday that she was not a "bonkers mother" and her barrister described her position as "principled". During the Saturday morning hearing, he said that although he had intended to rule on the matter, developments had "changed the medical landscape".
Doctors have said it was "clearly" in Neon's best interests to undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy. 'Lower IQ'
Sally Roberts went into hiding with her son on Wednesday, sparking a nationwide search before both were found unharmed.
The boy was operated on last year and a tumour was removed successfully.
The judge is being asked to decide whether it is in Neon's best interests to undergo treatment.
Doctors have said it was "clearly" in Neon's best interests to undergo radiotherapy and chemotherapy, arguing the treatment was standard procedure and offered Neon the best chance.
However, Ms Roberts said she only wanted her son to have chemotherapy, as she feared radiotherapy would result in long-term brain damage, reducing his IQ and also possibly making him infertile.
A lawyer representing the health authorities who are treating him told the court the "alternative is death".A lawyer representing the health authorities who are treating him told the court the "alternative is death".
'Every parent's nightmare'
A barrister outlined Ms Roberts's position in written arguments at the start of the hearing.A barrister outlined Ms Roberts's position in written arguments at the start of the hearing.
"Much sympathy it is hoped will be felt for her overall position," Robin Tolson QC told the court."Much sympathy it is hoped will be felt for her overall position," Robin Tolson QC told the court.
"The mother's position in this litigation... is principled, reasonable and in the best interests of Neon.""The mother's position in this litigation... is principled, reasonable and in the best interests of Neon."
Ms Roberts told the court on Friday that she was not a "bonkers mother" and her barrister described her position as "principled".
Ms Roberts apologised to the court and said she only wanted the best for her son.Ms Roberts apologised to the court and said she only wanted the best for her son.
The judge is being asked to decide whether it is in Neon's best interests to undergo treatment. The judge has described Neon's illness as the "stuff of every parent's nightmare" and has said he will balance what radiotherapy treatment would achieve against the "downsides".
He described Neon's illness as the "stuff of every parent's nightmare" and said he would balance what radiotherapy treatment would achieve against the "downsides". After the hearing at the Family Division, New Zealand-born Ms Roberts said she "can't add to what the judge said".
She added that, health-wise, her son was "very good in himself".
Neon's father, Ben, said he would not comment.