A 14-year-old boy has recently faced a court battle against his parents who made the decision to relocate him from London to Ghana for boarding school. Initially, the boy believed he was visiting a sick relative in Africa, only to discover the true reason for his move. Expressing his reluctance towards attending boarding school, the boy claimed that he would have never consented if he had known about the plan.
Despite the boy’s plea to return to England, the High Court judge, Mr Justice Hayden, deemed it unsafe for the boy to come back due to potential risks in the UK. The boy highlighted his struggles in Ghana, feeling isolated and being unable to comprehend his surroundings, leading to conflicts. Desperate for help, he even contacted the British High Commission seeking a way back to his familiar environment.
On the other hand, the parents defended their decision, expressing concerns for their son’s safety in London. Referring to a tragic incident in Woolwich where a 14-year-old boy was murdered, the mother emphasized the need to protect her son from potential harm. Moreover, the parents’ fears were fueled by their son exhibiting signs that aligned with being involved in criminal activities, as outlined by a checklist from the children’s charity NSPCC.
The case revolved around parental responsibility and the legality of sending the boy to boarding school without his consent. While the father visited his son in Ghana and explored a different boarding school option, the boy’s barrister emphasized the educational challenges and the boy’s desire to have a normal life in England. With more cases emerging where teenagers seek court intervention to return to the UK, it raises questions about the vulnerable situations young people face and challenges parents encounter in guiding their children
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