A seven-year-old boy was at the centre of a London courtroom
drama today when he challenged a court ruling over who should have
custody of him.
The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the
judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child
custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be
maintained to the degree possible.
The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt
beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live
with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his
grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him.
After considering the remainder of the immediate family and
learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among
them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to
propose who should have custody of him.
After two recesses to check legal references and confer with
child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, whom the boy firmly believes are
incapable of beating anyone.
