Major investigation into how 12-year-old child was left blind after shocking neglect by parents

A major investigation is being held into how a 12-year-old boy was left blind in one eye due to the shocking neglect by his mum and stepdad.

Gillian Hendry and Craig Dick, both 34 and from Thornaby, were jailed last month for the appalling poor care of the boy and his two-year-old sister.

The boy went blind in his left eye from cataracts because they failed to take him for hospital appointments that could have saved his sight.

He also became increasingly crippled with arthritis until doctors called in social services so they could treat him.

A serious case review has now been launched by Stockton-on-Tees Local Safeguarding Children, the body responsible for overseeing child welfare across the borough.

Such investigations are held when a child has died or suffered serious injury where abuse or neglect are known or suspected to have been a factor.

They typically look at the contact the family had with a number of authorities such as social workers, police, school, and health services.

Hendry and Dick were living on benefits in Teesdale Terrace and the conditions of the property were described by police and social workers as dirty and infested with flies with one of the bedrooms having been used as a toilet.

Hendry was jailed for two-and-a-half years and Dick for two years and two months after they pleaded guilty to two charges of child neglect.

The two children have since been rehomed and are “doing well”.

Teesside Crown Court was told that doctors had become concerned and contacted social workers about the about the boy’s welfare after he repeatedly missed appointments.

Officials were stopped from enterting the couple’s Thornaby home in August 2013 and when they later returned with police, found that pair had hurriedly tried to tidy the mess.

Colin Morris, the independent chairman of the Stockton-on-Tees Local Safeguarding Children Board, said the review began in June.

“We are aware of this very sad case and a serious case review is already well under way having been initiated in June,” he said.

A Stockton Council spokesman said: “Along with a number of other agencies, we are fully participating in a Serious Case Review which has been initiated by the Stockton-on-Tees Local Safeguarding Children Board and is overseen by two independently appointed, experienced professionals.

“The boy and his sibling are settled in appropriate placements and are doing well.”