Cancer boy’s mother in court battle over radiotherapy denied time to seek alternatives

Neon Roberts underwent more surgery on a brain tumour (PA)

A mother embroiled in a High Court battle over her son’s cancer treatment has been denied time to consult experts on “alternative therapies”.

Sally Roberts, whose seven-year-old son Neon underwent a court-ordered operation to remove a brain tumour on Wednesday, and is doing “very well”, has refused consent for him to receive radiotherapy treatment, which she says will do long-term damage to his health.

The court heard today that Ms Roberts, 37, wanted time to consider alternative treatments offered by private doctors. A request to adjourn the case while she consulted other child-cancer experts was denied.

Mr Justice Bodey indicated that he would rule tomorrow on whether Neon should receive radiotherapy.

The alternative therapies under consideration were “experimental” and “unproven”, Victoria Butler-Cole, QC for the NHS Trust treating Neon, told the court. She said Neon’s condition would deteriorate without radiotherapy treatment.

Neon’s father, Ben Roberts, has approved radiotherapy.