A boy left severely brain-damaged after he was starved of oxygen at birth has won a seven-figure sum in compensation.

Christopher Stewart, who has cerebral palsy, was starved of oxygen during his birth at St John's Hospital, Chelmsford.

The Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust had earlier admitted liability for the injuries.

You're my hero: mum Deborah Stewart with son Christopher after he received a Child Achievement Award Picture: Nigel Brown

Justice Stanley Burnton approved the settlement yesterday at London's High Court. He praised Christopher's parents Andrew and Deborah, of Langham, for the way they cared for their son.

He said: "Cases such as this are tragic and the law can do no more than seek to compensate in money terms that which cannot be compensated for.

"The injury suffered by Christopher was a terrible injury and no money can compensate him or his parents for what he then suffered or what he has continued to suffer ever since.

"All this award can do is provide a fund to meet the expenses which have been incurred and will be incurred as a result of those terrible injuries."

The exact amount of compensation has not been disclosed but is believed to run in to seven figures. Millions of pounds have been awarded in similar cases.

The judge added that Christopher's "positive and loving" parents did a magnificent job of looking after him.

Outside the court, Mr and Mrs Stewart said they were delighted with the outcome, describing Christopher as a "lovely child".

He was recently presented with a Child of Achievement award by Disney Channel presenters Nigel Mitchell and James McCourt. Mrs Stewart had nominated her son for his sheer hard work in doing the things other people regard as normal, such as controlling his muscles.

Mr Stewart, a former civil engineer who retired to look after Christopher, said: "It's great to get it finished. It's been going on for over six years."

Published Wednesday, April 30, 2003

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