MUM’S FIGHT TO GET SON HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

WHEN a two-year-old boy was snatched by his abusive father in Cardiff last Christmas there was nowhere his mother could turn to. The police could not act – needing a court order to return the little boy to his home in time for Santa’s arrival.

With the courts closing for the holiday, it took the help of a charity and a stroke of luck to reunite the pair.

Lucy’s story is being used to help others who are facing the justice system alone at this time of year.

Thankfully, Lucy, whose named has been changed to protect her identity, found the Personal Support Unit (PSU) during her hour of need.

The charity specialises in helping people facing the courts alone.

“Almost half of us will use the justice system at some point in our lives,” a spokesman for PSU said.

“Imagine having to do it alone when you are fighting for your children’s custody or battling difficult personal circumstances like going through a divorce or facing eviction.”

When Lucy walked into their offices on December 23, she was hours away from losing her son for Christmas.

Two-year-old Liam, whose named has also been changed, had been staying with relatives when her expartner turned up and took him without permission.

According to the charity, there was a history of domestic abuse. The man had broken into her property in the past and had also claimed to be sui- cidal. Lucy had contacted the police but discovered that, as the father had parental responsibility for the child, the police needed a court order to return Liam to her.

The charity, which operates from Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre, one of 20 UK units, said when its representatives met Lucy, they said they would do all they could to help.

A spokeswoman said: “We knew we needed to act quickly and liaised with the court staff to help her complete the forms she needed to secure a court hearing that day.”

Once the forms were submitted, most of the judges had already gone home for the holidays.

Fortunately for Lucy, a deputy district judge was seen walking past the PSU offices on his way home.

With court staff, the charity staff were able to convince him to stay and hold a hearing. They went with Lucy to provide reassurance.

The judge issued an order allowing the police to remove the child from his father and return him to Lucy.

According to the charity, Lucy burst into tears on hearing the news.

In South Wales alone, over half of PSU help is for family matters, with 84% of those concerning children, 24% involving a money claim, and 13% a housing problem.

“The PSU needs to raise as much money as possible this Christmas to help meet the costs of a 20% increase in demand,” a spokesman said.

The charity said it helped almost 3,000 clients in Cardiff over the past year.

To donate to the PSU’s Christmas appeal, visit www. thepsu.org.uk between now and the end of January.