• Sally Roberts believes her son should have alternative treatment to radiotherapy
  • Experts brand her alternatives 'completely unethical'
  • She concedes that her argument is 'weak' under questioning

By Paul Bentley

PUBLISHED: 21:02 EST, 20 December 2012 | UPDATED: 22:43 EST, 20 December 2012

Medicine: Sally Roberts arrives at The High Court yesterday. There, she conceded her case was 'weak'

Medicine: Sally Roberts arrives at The High Court yesterday. There, she conceded her case was 'weak'

The mother who fled with her son to spare him the ordeal of conventional cancer treatment had her list of 'experimental' alternatives rubbished by experts yesterday.

Sally Roberts, 37, believes seven-year-old Neon should not be given radiotherapy because of possible side effects such as infertility and reduced IQ.

But when given the chance to put forward alternative treatments for her son at the High Court, Mrs Roberts's suggestions were labelled 'completely unethical'.

Toward the end of the hearing, she even conceded her case was 'weak'.

The hearing saw her renew her legal battle to stop Neon receiving radiotherapy after he successfully had the remainders of a tumour removed on Wednesday during brain surgery performed against her wishes.

Neon was diagnosed in October with the tumour, which doctors believed they had removed. A growth was, however, found later.

At the High Court yesterday, Mrs Roberts's QC, Ian Peddie, read out a list of alternatives provided by an 'expert' who, although not medically qualified, was referred to as Dr V.

The suggestions included immunotherapy, radioimmunotherapy, BMCT therapy, molecular targeted therapies involving biological agents, photodynamic therapy, the use of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and treatment through diet and lifestyle.

Lawyers acting on behalf of the hospitals treating Neon, however, said a 'dose of reality' was required with the 'unproven' treatments.

Mrs Roberts's legal team also provided a list of private doctors but one of them was not registered with the General Medical Council, Miss Butler-Cole said.

A cancer expert said one suggestion had been provided using a website which was 'the scientific equivalent of doing a Google search'.

Mr Justice Bodey reserved  judgment until today.

Case: Neon Roberts is at the centre of a legal dispute over his own cancer treatment

Case: Neon Roberts is at the centre of a legal dispute over his own cancer treatment


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