Couple threatened with jail after revealing adoption information on Facebook

A couple who failed to prevent their grandchildren being placed for adoption were threatened with jail after information relating to the youngsters appeared on Facebook.

Social services bosses at Central Bedfordshire Council complained that Simon Markwick, who is in his early 50s, and Tracey Markwick, who is in her late 40s, had breached a court order barring them from revealing information about the children.

Bosses said Mr and Mrs Markwick were in contempt of court.

They issued an application to commit Mr and Mrs Markwick to prison – and the couple were ordered to appear before a High Court judge.

But lawyers withdrew the application at the start a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

They told Mr Justice Holman that information about the children had been taken off the internet – and said the couple had apologised for anything they might have done wrong.

Mr and Mrs Markwick told Mr Justice Holman that they had not placed information about the children on Facebook – and suggested that someone else was to blame.

Mr Justice Holman heard how a family court judge had ruled that the children should be taken into care and placed for adoption.

Mr and Mrs Markwick had appealed, but failed to overturn that ruling.

The council had been represented by two barristers – Raisa Saley and Jemimah Hendrick – at the hearing before Mr Justice Holman. Mr and Mrs Markwick had appeared in person.

Mr Justice Holman formally dismissed the council’s committal application.

Little detail about the children, or the reasons why they had been placed for adoption, was revealed at the hearing – and Mr Justice Holman said they should not be named.

He said also said neither the children’s current address – nor Mr and Mrs Markwick’s address should be published.

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