Father ‘did everything possible’ to obstruct Medway social workers

A Ukrainian concert pianist who became embroiled in a row with social workers after his son was taken into foster care has been criticised by a family court judge.

The youngster, now 12, had been in the sole care of his father after arriving in the UK in 2006, Judge Veronica Hammerton heard.

He was taken into interim care nearly three years ago after a fire broke out when he was at home with only another child for company – but was allowed to return home late in 2013 after his father had been on a parenting course.

Family court litigation had begun and the pianist had complained that social workers had “misled the court”, that the “forceful removal” of the boy from his care had caused the youngster severe emotional damage and that his rights to respect for family life had been violated.

But Judge Hammerton says the man, who is in his late 50s, has been focused on fighting social services staff at “every turn” and “doing everything” to “obstruct the professionals”.

She said there were grounds for criticism in the way the case had been handled by social services staff.

But she said the man had been “totally unhelpful” and had “no respect for the court”.

Detail has emerged in the latest ruling on the case following a hearing in a family court at Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Judge Hammerton had been asked to make detailed follow-up decisions on who should pay what legal costs and on the provision of local authority services to the pianist and his son.

The judge did not name the people at the centre of the case.

But she said the local authority involved was Medway Council.

Judge Hammerton heard that the boy’s mother was from Thailand and that her whereabouts were unknown.

She heard that the man had worked as a self-employed concert pianist.

The judge said she had analysed the conduct of the council and said there were “grounds for criticism”.

But she said the “job of social workers” was to “protect children” and it was not surprising that staff had concerns.

“Whilst mistakes have undoubtedly been made by the local authority, and matters perhaps seem clearer when looked at with hindsight, this is a case where the father is also at fault,” said the judge.

“His focus on fighting the local authority at every turn and doing everything to obstruct the professionals has been totally unhelpful.”

She added: “He has made clear that he has no respect for the court. That has been evident in many of his actions.”

And she went on: “His behaviour in court before me has, at times, been unrestrained. He has frequently demonstrated the worst aspects of his personality and his propensity to act with aggression. The ferocity of his outbursts has been such that it is easy to understand why the social workers were so concerned for the welfare of (the youngster).”

Judge Hammerton said the man had been unable to get legal aid and had been at a “disadvantage” during litigation.

The judge said barrister Maureen Obi-Ezekpazu, who represented the man at one stage of the litigation, was one of a number of lawyers involved who had offered advice for free.

She added: “It is gratifying that there continue to be members of the Bar who are prepared to give up their time to assist those who would otherwise be unrepresented. Their contribution is invaluable; indeed without their assistance, the court faces an almost impossible task.”

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2014, All Rights Reserved.