ANGUISHED Blandford mother Catherine Franklin is to sue the man who killed her toddler son.

Ryan's father, soldier Lee Khair is currently serving seven years in jail for the manslaughter of two-year-old Ryan.

Catherine told the Daily Echo she had contacted a solicitor with a view to suing the former lance corporal.

"We hope to take out a lawsuit against him. Any compensation we receive will go to the paediatric intensive care unit at Southampton General Hospital where Ryan died," said Catherine, aged 29.

"Hospitals are always crying out for money and they were so brilliant with Ryan."

Ryan sustained serious head injuries while Khair was looking after him at Catherine's home in Sheep Market Hill in May 2002.

Current legislation prevented her from burying him for 18 months.

Ryan's body lay in a mortuary until after Khair's trial at the request of his defence team.

Since his death Catherine has campaigned tirelessly to have the law changed and in June she presented a 1,000-signature petition to North Dorset MP Robert Walter.

On Thursday, Catherine, of Pigeon Close, Blandford St Mary, and other members of her family will be in the public gallery in Parliament when Mr Walter will hand the petition to the Lord Chancellor.

"Mr Walter will give a speech and I understand there will be a debate. We will not get a decision that day but we hope to get a reply in around a month.

"I do not think they will take it lying down. It's a serious issue which needs to be sorted," she added.

First published: Sept 6