Flame-thrower son needs help, says frantic mum

A DESPERATE mother is pleading for help on behalf of her son who has turned himself into a human flame-thrower.

Irene Corns said she has been told she could face an 18-month wait for teenager Billy to see a psychiatrist.

The 14-year-old has been excluded from Malvern's Chase High School for his violent and unruly behaviour, said Mrs Corns.

She said Billy had learnt how to set alight to aerosol sprays and cigarette lighter fuel, and had burned his bed.

"He puts lighter fluid in his mouth and sets fire to it. He burnt a girl at school by doing that," claimed his mother, who said he had also cut himself and had become embroiled in solvent abuse.

"You name it, he's done it. The school doctor has seen him and the Chase has sent me about 50 letters about him.

"But I've spoken to the health authority and to Social Services and they say it will be between 12 and 18 months before he can see a psychiatrist."

Mrs Corns, of Elgar Avenue, Malvern, said Billy had been beaten up by people who failed to understand his condition.

She said that looking after the youngster added to the pressure of bringing up a seven-year-old autistic son, Peter, and an 11-year-old partially-sighted daughter, Stacey.

Mrs Corns hoped her son would be able to see the same psychiatrist who was treating Peter.

Robert Hipwell, a director of Worcestershire Community and Mental Health NHS Trust, said today that he could not comment on individual cases.

But he did confirm that "long waits" for child psychiatry treatment were common.

"We have two consultants in south Worcestershire, and one is off long-term sick," he said.

"But emergency cases can be expedited, if a GP makes representations."

Mr Hipwell said a national shortage of child psychiatrists - 30 per cent of posts are vacant - had affected the Trust, which was now trying to recruit a locum for the next 12 months.

He blamed insufficient numbers of doctors being trained to take up the specialist service.