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Court clears one of two GPs accused of Addison’s disease manslaughter

A GP was today cleared of killing a 12-year-old boy by gross negligence after he died from Addison’s disease.

Dr Lindsay Thomas, 42, had been on trial for two weeks for causing the death of schoolboy Ryan Morse after he died from the rare condition.

Her colleague, Dr Joanne Rudling, 45, is charged with manslaughter and trying to pervert the course of public justice, after she also received a call from Ryan’s mother, and then allegedly manipulated his medical records days after he died.

But Mrs Justice Judge Nicola Davies today dismissed the charge against Dr Thomas by directing the jury to find her not guilty of manslaughter.

The judge said: ’In law, on the charge of gross negligence manslaughter, there is no case to answer.

‘I direct that a verdict of not guilty be entered by you, the jury.’

Dr Thomas was charged after schoolboy Ryan died in his home in December 2012, from Addison’s Disease – a condition which includes progressive anaemia, low blood pressure, weakness and discolouration of the skin.

His mother had called Dr Thomas at Brynithir Surgery in Aberystwyth, West Wales, 24 hours before her son died for advice about his condition.

The prosecution said the GP should have realised the schoolboy was dying, and should have called for an ambulance or gone to visit the boy herself.

But Judge Davies told the court Dr Thomas’ actions didn’t amount to manslaughter.

Outside the court Dr Thomas, from Tredegar, Gwent, read a short statement saying she was ‘very pleased’ at the outcome.

She said: ’I would like to thank family, friends, patients and my legal team for their support.

‘Once again I offer my condolences to Ryan’s family.’

Dr Rudling, of Pontprennau, Cardiff, denies manslaughter and trying to pervert the course of public justice.

The trial continues at Cardiff Crown Court.


          

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