Legal proceedings will begin in the High Court in London later today to determine the future of Jade (5) and Hannah Bennett (3), who were brought back to Britain by their foster parents from Ireland on Saturday after spending more than four months on the run. Police yesterday questioned Jeffrey and Jennifer Bramley (both 35) about their decision to abduct their foster daughters, while a doctor examined the girls, who were made wards of court on Friday. Police said later that the couple could be charged with abduction.
In a statement last night the Bramleys said: "We have not been living a nomadic, fugitive lifestyle. The children feel they have just had an exciting and enjoyable holiday in Ireland." The couple repeated an appeal "for a little space". "Now that the court will be able to consider what is best for the children we have every confidence that the right decision will be made for Jade and Hannah," they said.
A spokesman for Cambridgeshire County Council said the children were "physically fine" and had spent the day with social workers at a secret address "playing in the sunshine making the most of the lovely weather". The next stage in this extraordinary story will be a High Court hearing behind closed doors between lawyers representing the Bramleys and Cambridgeshire County Council and Mrs Justice Hogg, who will decide where the children will live while their longterm future is being considered.
Cambridgeshire County Council indicated yesterday that they would not oppose the couple being allowed to keep the girls with them until the courts make a final decision on custody, which could take many months.
However, council officials have insisted they will resist any attempt by the couple to adopt the children. That decision coincided with an emotional appeal by Jade Bennett's natural father, Mr Paul Duckett, who said he wished to be his daughter's "forever daddy". Mr Duckett said in a statement that just as the Bramleys had been given a chance to be parents, he too wanted to fulfill that role. "I would like the same rights as any other natural parent to see their child grow up, going to school, making friends and helping them to learn by their mistakes."
When news broke at about 9 p.m. on Saturday evening that the couple had flown into Stansted airport in Essex from Faranfore airport in Co Kerry with the two girls, Cambridgeshire social services quickly arranged a press conference to confirm that the children had been returned safely.
After more than four months on the run with their foster parents, a relieved Ms Liz Railton, director of Cambridgeshire social services, described the physical condition of the two girls: "All the signs are that the girls are fine but we must make sure." She said the couple appeared "outwardly calm and relaxed . . . I have spoken to Mr Bramley and he seemed calm and satisfied with the arrangements that are currently being made." Explaining the legal position of Cambridgeshire social services following its offer in a letter this week to allow the courts to determine the children's future, Ms Railton told the press conference: "Cambridgeshire County Council continues to hold parental responsibility for Jade and Hannah but, given my approach, the judge has now made it clear that we can't exercise this responsibility without consulting the court."
She defended her decision to write the letter to the Bramleys, insisting that while she could not condone running away with children "I had to consider that if we could not achieve the safe return of Jade and Hannah we certainly could not resolve their futures". The Bramleys had fled from their home in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with their foster children on September 14th when they were due to hand the girls back to Cambridgeshire social services after social workers decided they were not suitable adoptive parents.