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Hunger striker 'neglect' denied | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Belfast City Hospital has denied neglecting its duty of care by not feeding a hunger striker with a drip. | |
Convicted rapist Oswald Brown has been refusing food for 53 days over what he claims is his wrongful conviction. | Convicted rapist Oswald Brown has been refusing food for 53 days over what he claims is his wrongful conviction. |
On Tuesday, a judge ordered he be moved to hospital. But doctors went to the High Court for clarification and said Brown could make his own decisions. | |
However, Mr Justice Deeny reiterated it was the hospital's duty to comply with his ruling. | |
The judge said he had no doubt that Brown's mental judgement was impaired. | |
He said if Brown had come to any harm in the last 24 hours there would be a case for action against the hospital. | He said if Brown had come to any harm in the last 24 hours there would be a case for action against the hospital. |
The matter first came before the court last Friday when the secretary of state applied for a declaration that prison officials could lawfully abstain from giving food to Brown, who has threatened to starve to death. | The matter first came before the court last Friday when the secretary of state applied for a declaration that prison officials could lawfully abstain from giving food to Brown, who has threatened to starve to death. |
He is due for release on Monday. | He is due for release on Monday. |
In a statement issued later on Wednesday the hospital said it "absolutely refutes the suggestion that it has neglected its duty of care". | |
It said that his medical condition is being managed appropriately, and that "his condition remains stable; his condition has in no way been jeopardised by any delay in commencing feeding". | |
"Belfast City Hospital is satisfied that it has at all times acted appropriately and in the best interests of the patient," it said. | |
"A patient's right to refuse treatment can only be overridden in the most extreme circumstances and after careful consideration." | |
The case is due to go before the High Court again on Thursday. | |
At his 2001 trial Brown, of Orangefield Grove, was described by the judge as an opportunist rapist who took advantage of a naive young student. | At his 2001 trial Brown, of Orangefield Grove, was described by the judge as an opportunist rapist who took advantage of a naive young student. |
Brown was jailed for six years on condition he serves a further two years probation on release. | Brown was jailed for six years on condition he serves a further two years probation on release. |
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