Payne better after brain surgery

Dec 25 2009

The mother of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne is responding well to treatment after being taken to hospital with complications after brain surgery, a family source has said.

Child protection campaigner Sara Payne, 40, fell ill on Wednesday and was initially thought to be in a "life-threatening condition".

A family source said she had responded well to treatment and her condition has not worsened since she was admitted.

He said: "The early signs of her treatment were positive."

Friend Michele Elliott, founder and director of campaign group Kidscape, said: "Sara is the most wonderful and indomitable person and if anyone can get through this, it's her.

"Everyone needs to pray and send their good thoughts at this difficult time. I have been in tears."

Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "Our thoughts are with Sara and her family."

Relatives and friends, including fellow campaigner Shy Keenan, have been at her hospital bedside.

Mrs Payne had a life-saving operation to cure a ruptured aneurysm last year. She is thought to be receiving treatment at St George's Hospital, in Tooting, south London.

Since the death of her daughter Sarah at the hands of paedophile Roy Whiting in 2000, Mrs Payne has become a prominent campaigner for victims' rights. She took up the Government-appointed post of Victims' Champion at the end of January.