A little girl who has been left severely disabled due to brain damage suffered after birth has been awarded a £4.5million settlement.

Samantha Singleton-Parkes, now 10, was born at Colchester General Hospital in 2003 but has faced a lifetime of difficulties ever since.

Her mother, Gail Singleton-Parkes sued Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust on Samantha’s behalf, claiming the injuries, including brain damage and cerebral palsy, were down to negligence.

The trust denied liability, but has now agreed to settle the matter by paying Mrs Singleton-Parkes 70 per cent of what she was claiming in the High Court in London.

Today His Honour Judge Birtles awarded the Brightlingsea based family about £4.5million to cover the cost of Samantha’s future care needs.

For the full story see Wednesday's Gazette.