Accrington Web - Courtroom drama

Mon, 8 Jan 2007
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Federal Court Ruling from the Melbourne Age, Australia (AP)
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A seven year old boy was at the centre of a courtroom drama yesterday
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 the 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 suggested that he live with his grandparents,
the boy cried out that they also beat him.
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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.
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After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child
welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the English
Cricket Team, whom the boy firmly believes are "not capable of beating
anyone."*