The parents of a young boy who was misdiagnosed by the prosecution's chief expert witness in the Lucy Letby trial have come forward, prepared to recount their harrowing experience in defence of the convicted nurse. Andrew and Donna Llewellyn claim that Dr Dewi Evans' erroneous diagnosis of their son Jared as 'bulimic'—when he was actually suffering from a life-threatening brain tumour—would have led to his death had they not sought a second opinion.
A Critical Misdiagnosis with Grave Consequences
In April 2008, Jared Llewellyn, who is severely autistic and now 26 years old, presented with symptoms including involuntary projectile vomiting and a painfully stiff neck, both clear indicators of pressure on the brain. Despite these alarming signs, Dr Evans, then the senior paediatric consultant at Singleton Hospital in Swansea, dismissed the issue as 'behavioural' and diagnosed bulimia. Mrs Llewellyn recounted, '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.'
Second Opinion Reveals Life-Saving Truth
Jared's medical notes show that Dr Evans ordered a gastrografin test for the gut, but the Llewellyns, unconvinced, insisted he remain in hospital. A second paediatrician, Dr Ingo Scholler, intervened and ordered a CT scan, which revealed a brain tumour at the base of the skull. Neurosurgeons performed a 12-hour operation to save Jared's life, followed by six weeks of daily radiotherapy. Mr Llewellyn, a retired nurse, stated, '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.'
Mounting Doubts Over Dr Evans' Credibility
Dr Evans' evidence was pivotal in the 2023 conviction of Lucy Letby for the murders of seven babies and the attempted murders of seven others at the Countess of Cheshire hospital. However, his testimony has come under intense scrutiny amid growing expert doubts about the safety of the prosecution case. Apparent contradictions in his statements have raised serious questions about his reliability as an expert witness.
Broader Implications for the Letby Case
The Llewellyns have chosen to speak out now because Dr Evans was presented to the jury as an expert doctor during Letby's trial. This revelation adds to a series of concerns about his competence. During the first trial, Appeal Court Judge Lord Justice Jackson described a report by Dr Evans in an unrelated case as 'worthless'. Additionally, 14 top neonatology doctors, led by Professor Shoo Lee, have concluded that there were no murders in the Letby case.
David Davis MP, who has campaigned on Letby's behalf, commented, '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, added, 'The limitations of the expertise of Dr Evans forms a substantial part of my submissions to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.'
Response from Health Authorities
When contacted by the Mail on Sunday, Dr Evans stated, '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.' 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.'
This case underscores the profound impact of medical misdiagnosis and raises critical questions about the expert evidence used in high-profile legal proceedings, potentially influencing future appeals and retrials.
