Rebecca Minnock Case

[mikey4444]

It has just been announced that a family friend, Andrew Butt has been sentenced to 28 days for lying to the Court. Minnock's Mother was prevented from leaving the Court today and has now been sentenced to 10 days in jail for her part in the lying :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-33109219

I think that everybody who purports to want the best for the child should stop interfering, stop faffing about and tell the truth with immediate effect, before more potential harm is done to this child.

[Canary42]

A two-year legal battle. That's absolutely disgraceful. Why can't things be speeded up considerably in these cases (probably because lawyers get paid by the time they spend on a case).

[mikey4444]

That may indeed be a factor Canary, but these cases always drag out, with countless Court appearances. Lets hope the Mother hands herself in as soon as possible.

[mushroom25]

before criticising the legal system in this case, you might do well to read some of the judgement notes that are available - see here
https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/judgments/roger-williams-v-rebecca-minnock-and-ethan-freeman-williams-2-judgments/
this has been a custody dispute of the most acrimonious - it was never going to end in any way other than in tears.

[mikey4444]

Thanks Mush !

[Canary42]

Yes, sad isn't it.

[New Judge]

These two may well find themselves in the chokey for a little longer if the mother and child are not located. There is no time limit for detention under contempt of court and the judge may well consider that they need a little longer inside to consider whether or not they will impart to the court the knowledge they obviously have.

This is a complete mess (as family matters often are). I have read the judgments provided by mushroom and it is clear that Judge Wildblood (great name!) is having no truck from the grandmother or Mr Butt. They clearly have knowledge of the mother and child's whereabouts and they did themselves no favours lying in court.

The mother has apparently contacted the Daily Mail and said she realises she cannot abscond forever. Hopefully she'll return asap so that the boy can be returned to his father, as ordered by the Family Court.

[naomi24]

She's handed herself in.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jun/12/rebecca-minnock-runaway-told-come-home-friend-admits-helping-her-flee

[Prudie]

I'd a expect a mother would try to do this for her daughter if she had the nerve. There's no evidence that Minnock abuses the child as far as we are aware. Have you any idea how she would have felt on the morning she was expecting to have her child taken away from her? dreadful case. I'd certainly like to hear the father's view on why he should have custody. My heart bleeds for her if I'm honest.

[naomi24]

It's an odd case. Awful. There surely has to be more to it than we're hearing?

[ummmm]

I agree, Prudie.

[DaisyNonna]

As usual in this sort of case we are not privy to what has gone before in this family.
Lawyers want to win, not necessarily to see justice done.
The child suffers.

[New Judge]

I've noticed that Avon & Somerset police have stated that Ms Minnock and her son "will receive all the support they need."

I wonder if, had it been a father that absconded with his son contrary to court orders, he would have been offered "all the suppport he needed". Or would he just have been locked up?

[DaisyNonna]

Words, NJ, only words.
You believe that?

[mikey4444]

She has handed herself in, at last :::

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-33120424

Not before time.

[mikey4444]

Didn't see that Naomi had already posted the news above. Perhaps the legal process can now resume and this little lad can be placed in a place of safety.

[douglas9401]

Froot Loop with an over developed sense of entitlement but I'm sure she'll have a couple of good pay days.

[mikey4444]

I am somewhat uneasy about the newspapers role in all of this.

[ladybirder]

Having read all of mushroom's links from the court I think this woman has only herself to blame and is psychologically damaging the child. She and her family have consistently told lies about the father in order to stop him having contact. She's messed the courts about and all at our expense by the way. I don't feel sorry for her at all.

[anotheoldgit]

New Judge

/// I wonder if, had it been a father that absconded with his son contrary to court orders, he would have been offered "all the suppport he needed". Or would he just have been locked up? ///

I am a little late in coming to this one, but yes Judge I was thinking exactly the same when I also heard that remark reported.

Why all this type of sympathy and support for the female of the species, do we have true sex equality, or once again does this type of thing only work one way?

[Quoi]

My son is almost 2 years into a case so similar to this it is unbelievable - it is so bad that my grandson also has his own guardian and solicitor and is also aged 3 ( nearly 4).
I hope the end result of the custody order will be the same for exactly the same reasons but I doubt it.