Parents drop court case over disabled son's death

Andrea and Ian Jobling took legal action after their seven-year-old disabled son Warren died during a respite stay at a carer's house in April 2008.

But the couple decided to abort the campaign after a medical report failed to support their view that Warren's death was caused by the carer's negligence.

Warren was one of seven children known to the council's children's services department who have died since 2004.

Mrs Jobling said: "The council have fought us all the way and never tried to help me find the answers to the questions I've had.

"If I hadn't had a solicitor we would not have been able to find out that the carer had been deregistered after Warren's death."

She added: "It seems to me that all the council have tried to do since Warren's death is to protect themselves. Disabled children seem to be second-class citizens."

The Joblings' solicitor Sarah Young, of Huddersfield law firm Ridley & Hall, said: "There is no doubt that Warren was neglected but we cannot prove that the neglect caused Warren's death."

Doncaster Council's interim children's services director Nick Jarman said: "We fully recognise the sadness of this case and the tragedy of it for Warren's family.

"Since the serious case review was instigated in November 2008, all of the recommendations have been implemented."