Expert who helped convict Lucy Letby misdiagnosed boy’s mind tumour as ‘bulimia’
The chief expert witness for the prosecution of Lucy Letby diagnosed an eight-year-old boy as ‘bulimic’ when he was actually suffering from a brain tumour – and now the parents of the boy are prepared to recount the details of the case in defence of the convicted nurse.
Andrew and Donna Llewellyn claim that the diagnosis by Dr Dewi Evans would have led to the death of their son Jared if they hadn’t asked for a second opinion.
Dr Evans’ evidence against Letby, 36, played a key role in her conviction in 2023 for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of seven others at the Countess of Cheshire hospital.
It comes amid mounting doubts among experts over the safety of the prosecution case against Letby.
Apparent contradictions in the testimony of Dr Evans, 75, have come under particular scrutiny.
Mrs Llewellyn has told the MoS how in April 2008, Jared, now 26, who is severely autistic, suffered from involuntary projectile vomiting and a painfully stiff neck, both indicating pressure on the brain.
However Dr Evans, then the senior paediatric consultant at Singleton Hospital in Swansea, said that the problem was ‘behavioural’.
Mrs Llewellyn said: ‘Dewi Evans said it was all behavioural, that Jared was bulimic and he was going to discharge him and he would arrange for Jared to see a dietician. He talked at us, he didn’t talk to us. His bedside manner was terrible.’
Andrew and Donna Llewellyn claim that the diagnosis by Dr Dewi Evans would have led to the death of their son Jared (pictured) if they hadn’t asked for a second opinion
Dr Evans, a consultant paediatrician arriving at Manchester Crown Court to give evidence at the Lucy Letby trial
Jared’s medical notes show Dr Evans ordered a gastrografin test for the gut. But the Llewellyns questioned the diagnosis and Jared stayed in hospital and continued to vomit.
A second paediatrician, Dr Ingo Scholler, ordered a CT scan. That found a brain tumour at the base of the skull.
Neurosurgeons staged a 12-hour operation to save Jared’s life. He then underwent six weeks of daily radiotherapy.
Mr Llewellyn, a retired nurse, said: ‘Had we not asked for a second opinion, our son would have died. If Lucy Letby faces a retrial, we will give evidence for the defence.’
The Llewellyns have come forward now because Dr Evans was presented to the jury in the Letby case as an expert doctor.
Dr Evans told the MoS: ‘I’m unable to make any comment on this case as, firstly, it would be a breach of confidentiality and, secondly, I would need to review the clinical notes. I’m afraid I have no recollection of this case.’
During the first Lucy Letby trial, Appeal Court Judge Lord Justice Jackson took the rare step in December 2022 of writing to trial judge, Mr Justice Goss, describing a report written by Dr Evans in an unrelated case as ‘worthless’.
Since then, 14 of the world’s top neonatology doctors, led by Professor Shoo Lee, have concluded that there were no murders.
Dr Evans’ evidence against Letby, 36, (pictured) played a key role in her conviction in 2023 for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of seven others at the Countess of Cheshire hospital
David Davis MP, who has campaigned on Letby’s behalf, said: ‘I’m afraid that this case, which almost turned into a tragedy, is yet more evidence that Dr Evans’ confidence outruns his competence.’
Letby’s lawyer, Mark McDonald, said: ‘The limitations of the expertise of Dr Evans forms a substantial part of my submissions to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.’
A spokesman for Swansea Bay University Health Board said: ‘We ,are sorry to hear of the family’s concerns.
‘We can confirm a letter of complaint was received and their concerns were investigated. The consultant involved retired in 2009.
‘Any work he has undertaken in a private capacity since then is a matter for him and his employers.’
