Father weeps as court told further treatment for seriously ill Alfie is 'futile'

The father of a seriously ill 20-month-old boy broke down in tears as a court was told that further hospital treatment is "futile".

Tom Evans covered his face and howled in anguish at the hearing to decide if life support should be withdrawn from his son, Alfie.

The 20-year-old was comforted by his parents and sisters and there was a short adjournment before the hearing re-commenced at the High Court in Liverpool.

Lawyers acting for Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool argue that further treatment for Alfie is unkind and inhumane.

The child, born on May 9 2016, is in a "semi-vegetative state" and has a degenerative neurological condition doctors have not definitively diagnosed.

Despite mediation between the parents and hospital specialists caring for Alfie, his parents, Mr Evans and Kate James, want him to undergo further treatment and operations for his condition.

They believe their son responds to them - but the court heard that any movements by the child are spontaneous seizures as a result of touching.

Michael Mylonas QC, representing the hospital, said: "One of the problems of this case is they look at him and, barring the paraphernalia of breathing and feeding, he's a sweet, lovely, normal-looking boy who opens his eyes, will smile ..."

At this point, Mr Evans, sitting alongside the lawyer, broke down, sobbing into his hands before a break to proceedings was called by Mr Justice Anthony Hayden, hearing the case.