A tragic youngster stricken by devastating brain damage since birth has won the right to a compensation package worth up to £8million from the NHS.

Felix Scase-Jones, now 13, was born with acute cerebral palsy which his legal team blamed on delays in the hour before his caesarean delivery.

Through his mother Linda Scase-Jones, Felix claimed damages from the James Paget University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

His lawyers alleged negligent mismanagement of his November 2001 birth caused his lifelong disabilities.

The NHS Trust, although disputing responsibility for the youngster's injuries, today 'compromised' on liability issues at London's High Court.

The settlement guarantees Felix - who suffers from acute communication and mobility problems - massive compensation to pay for the lifetime of care he will need.

His barrister, Martin Spencer QC, said outside court that his claim is 'likely to be worth between £7million to £8million, given the level of disability'

According to court documents, Felix's heart rate became dangerously slow in the latter stages of his mother's labour.

His lawyers claimed that, had he been delivered sooner, he would have escaped permanent brain damage.

He needed urgent resuscitation after delivery and was unable to breathe on his own for as long as seven minutes.

Lawyers representing the NHS Trust said it was 'relieved and pleased that a settlement has been reached without the rigours of a trial'.

Judge Michael Yelton said he was happy to approve the liability settlement and sanctioned a £200,000 interim payment to Felix.

That money will be used to tide him over until the full amount of his compensation is assessed.

After the hearing, Mrs Scase-Jones said: 'We're pleased a settlement has been agreed that will help to meet my son's needs.' However she said there was 'a way to go' in the case yet.

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