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Teen Loses Court Fight Against Parents’ Move to Africa

Teenager Loses Legal Battle Against Parents Over Move to Africa

A 14-year-old kid lost a High Court battle against his parents for sending him to boarding school in Ghana from London. The adolescent, who enjoys cooking and football and is characterized as quiet but talkative, said his parents tricked him into going by pretending it was to see a sick cousin.

The boy insisted that had he known the true purpose of the trip, he would never have agreed to it. He described his experience in Ghana as “hell,” stating in a written plea to the court: “I feel like I am living in hell. I really do not think I deserve this and I want to come home, back to England, as soon as possible.”

However, the High Court in London ruled in favor of his parents, acknowledging that their decision was made out of “deep, obvious, and unconditional love.” Judge Mr. Justice Hayden stated that returning to the UK could expose the boy to even greater harm.

In London, his parents were worried that their kid was being “groomed” into criminal behavior. Evidence of his “unhealthy interest in knives” and possible gang culture connection was mentioned. According to his father, they hope he won’t be “yet another black teenager stabbed to death in the streets of London.”

The child, who was born and raised in the UK, found it difficult to fit in at his new school and claimed to be teased and frequently fought. Desperate to get back home, he contacted a child care agency and the British High Commission in Accra.

In defense of their choice, his mother claimed that transferring him to Ghana was “not a punishment but a measure to protect him.” She cited the terrible story of 14-year-old Kelyan Bokassa, who was fatally stabbed on a London bus, as a major factor in their choice.

The parents’ attorneys cited a number of signs that the youngster was in danger, such as his repeated absences from school, his mysterious wealth, and his possession of pricey goods. Additionally, the school had expressed worries about potential criminal connections.

In the end, the court decided that his parents had acted legally, even though he had denied any membership in gangs. James Netto, his lawyer, pointed out that there are more and more instances like this where youngsters try to return to the UK, claiming that their parents are worried about their safety.

“Our priority has always been protecting our son, and our focus now is on moving forward as a family,” the boy’s parents said after the verdict.

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Source: BBC News