A Local Authority v S

Transcribed by BEVERLEY F. NUNNERY & CO Official Shorthand Writers and Tape Transcribers Quality House, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1HP Tel: 020 7831 5627 Fax: 020 7831 7737

MR. C. GEEKIE QC and MR. S. DIXON appeared on behalf of the local authority MS. J. DELAHUNTY QC and MR. R. LITTLEWOOD appeared on behalf of the Mother. LORD D. BRENNAN QC and MS. A GRIEF appeared on behalf of the Father. MS. M COVER and MR. P. MOTLEY appeared on behalf of the Guardian. ____________________

The family originate from Pakistan. The father has lived in England since 1999 and is a British national. He speaks fluent conversational English, although he has had the assistance of an interpreter throughout these proceedings.

This is a case where the allegation is that Z died as a result of a shake or a shaking/impact injury. The classic features of such a non-accidental injury, it is said were present, namely encephalopathy, subdural haemorrhage and retinal haemorrhage. This combination of injuries is known as "the triad".

i) The cause of an injury or an episode that cannot be explained scientifically remains equivocal.