Locum optometrist guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence

Optometrist Honey Rose has been found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence at Ipswich Crown Court today. A jury took three hours and 21 minutes to reach its unanimous verdict.

Rose's bail conditions were extended and it was expected that she will be sentenced in mid-to late August. Suffolk Police said all sentencing options were open to Judge Justice Smith.

The prosecution successfully argued that Rose should have diagnosed papilledema on eight-year-old Vincent Barker during and eye test in 2012. Barker died five months later.

Parents Ian and Joanne Barker spoke outside court following the verdict: 'The outcome of this case does not change our life sentence; we will never be able to fully accept that our special little boy is never coming home. The void left in our lives will never heal and the ripple effect to those around us is immense. As parents the distress of witnessing your child’s life from start to end in just eight short years is excruciatingly hard and nonsensical. The decision of a jury or judge cannot bring Vinnie back or undo the devastation of his death. A guilty verdict would never make us winners, our loss is simply too great.