John Vater and Alex Forbes: Baby returned to parents

The child suffered from a rare medical condition known as Benign Enlargement of the Subarachnoid Spaces (BESS), which predisposed him to suffering brain injuries. The Local Authority and the experts felt that the injuries had been deliberately inflicted, with the result that care proceedings were issued.

Expert witnesses in the case included a Consultant Paediatric Radiologist, a Consultant Paediatrician, a Consultant Neuroradiologist and a Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon. The expert evidence was challenged in cross-examination, with the result that the overall expert opinion changed to one of recognition that the injuries could have been caused accidentally. As a result, the Local Authority withdrew its application.