Shropshire Star

Lorry driver who attacked wife wins court battle to have son returned to Hungary

The four-year-old boy was brought to England by his mother nearly a year ago amid fears for his safety.

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A Hungarian lorry driver given a six-month suspended jail term for trying to strangle his wife while she held their son in her arms at a hospital has won a family court fight over the youngster.

The woman, who is also Hungarian, left her husband after complaining he was abusive and brought the boy to England nearly a year ago, a judge heard.

Her husband took legal action under the terms of an international convention and asked Mr Justice Cobb to order the youngster’s return to Hungary.

The woman objected and said returning the boy, who is now four, to Hungary would put him at “grave risk” of “physical or psychological harm”.

Mr Justice Cobb heard the woman has lived in Manchester since arriving in England.

Her husband followed her and in April last year tried to strangle her as she held their son, during a visit to a hospital.

He subsequently admitted assault and was given a six-month suspended jail term.

Mr Justice Cobb decided the boy should move to Hungary after the man gave a series of detailed undertakings in which he promised not to molest his wife or the boy.

The judge said the woman’s decision to bring the boy to England was wrong and in breach of her husband’s “rights of custody”.

He said Hungarian judges would consider the case.

The judge said the man would be bound by the undertakings he had given pending a court hearing in Hungary.

Mr Justice Cobb analysed the case at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London and has explained his decision in a written ruling.

He said no-one involved could be identified in media reports of the case.

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