An Afghan child found straying around Heathrow Airport has been temporarily placed in council care by a court. The boy, thought to be 12, said his trip was “planned and paid for by his mother”, who thought he would have a “better and safer” life in Britain.
Social services bosses at Hillingdon Council asked Justice Theis to decide the boy's future. She said he should go into council care. “There is some uncertainty as to precisely how he arrived at Heathrow Airport, and what methods of transport he had between Afghanistan and the United Kingdom,” she said. “The whereabouts of his mother are unknown and it would be impossible to return (him) to her care in Afghanistan at this time.” He will be looked after by a foster care until a family court comes to a decision.
The judge added it was right that council bosses should be able to exercise parental responsibility and that Home Office officials would make decisions about his immigration status.
