A 14-year-old kid lost a legal battle with his parents after being relocated from London to a boarding school in Ghana.
The boy disputed the decision in the UK High Court, claiming that he was duped into flying to Ghana under the guise of visiting a sick relative.
However, his parents insisted that the choice was taken in his best interests owing to fears about his safety and possible gang membership in London.
The High Court in London found in favour of the parents, saying their acts were motivated by “deep, obvious, and unconditional love” for their kid.
Mr Justice Hayden, who ruled over the hearing, stated that the adolescent was at danger of further harm if he returned to the UK, citing evidence of “at least peripheral involvement” in gang culture and an unhealthy fascination in knives, according to a BBC report.
His father justified the decision, citing the dangers of adolescent violence in London. “We do not want our son to be yet another Black teenager stabbed to death in the streets of London,” he told CNN.
The mother also used the recent murder of a 14-year-old kid on a bus in Woolwich as part of her argument.
In his testimony, the youngster described his time at the Ghanaian boarding school as “hell,” claiming that he had problems adjusting, struggled with the curriculum, and felt lonely.
He also claimed mistreatment at the school and contacted the British High Commission in Accra, as well as the charity Children and Family Across Borders, in an attempt to return to the UK.
The court heard that the teenager had been missing from school in London before the relocation and had been seen wearing costly clothing and carrying many mobile phones, raising worries about potential criminal exploitation.
Following the finding, the boy’s legal representative, James Netto of the International Family Law Group, described the verdict as a “real shock” for the child, who is keen to return to London.
Meanwhile, his parents issued a statement, adding, “This has been a very difficult time for all of us.” Our top priority has always been safeguarding our son, and now we’re focused on moving forward as a family.
The father has since visited the youngster in Ghana, and the court has been informed that conversations about alternate educational arrangements are proceeding in the nation.
However, with no urgent placement available, the adolescent remains in limbo, yearning to return to the UK.