Norfolk couple can keep son for good

A Norfolk couple who fled the country in a bid to stop their son being taken away from them by social services are celebrating today after being told he will stay with them permanently.

Mark and Nicky Webster, from Cromer, were told at a High Court hearing that Norfolk County Council was no longer relying on expert evidence of physical abuse which led to their three eldest children being taken away from them and adopted in 2003.

Mr Justice Holman was told that evidence of multiple non-accidental fractures suffered by one of the older children, Child B, had now been challenged by fresh medical opinion.

Kate Thirlwall QC, for the council, said some of the fresh evidence pointed to accidental fractures of fragile bones resulting from vitamin deficiency - perhaps even scurvy, which was virtually unknown in modern times.

As a result, the council was no longer seeking to establish that either parent caused Child B's injuries and was satisfied that the couple's fourth child, 13-month-old Brandon, was being “very well looked after”.

The judge asked the council for an explanation at some point as to how it would have approached the care proceedings regarding the other children if the new evidence had been available at the time.

“What position would have been taken in relation to physical injuries to Child B regarding removal of any of these children, let alone adoption?” he asked.

And how could a child develop scurvy through lack of nutrition in the 21st century “without people realising what is going on?”

Mr Webster had said before today's hearing that he and his wife had no plans to try to get their older children back because, although they would like to see them again, “adoption is adoption”.

Adoption orders on the children were finalised in December 2005 in the light of a finding by a Norwich County Court judge that one or other or both of the parents had injured Child B non-accidentally.

The local authority became involved again after learning that Mrs Webster was expecting a fourth child. The couple fled to Ireland, but were reassured by the council that, although care proceedings would be brought, the baby would stay with them.

Mr and Mrs Webster returned to England and cared for Brandon in a residential unit for five months while their parenting was assessed and then moved back home with him.

Miss Thirlwall told the judge today that Brandon's development was normal and he was “meeting his milestones”.

He had a varied diet and “his emotional attachment to his parents is very good, as is theirs to him”.

“Brandon should remain where he is.”