13-Year-Old Sues UK Parents Over Deportation To Africa Amid Gang Allegations

A 13-year-old boy has taken legal action against his parents in the UK, accusing them of forcibly sending him to Africa and abandoning him in a boarding school due to alleged involvement in gang activities—a claim the boy vehemently denies. His lawyers are seeking a court order to bring him back to the UK, where he has lived since birth, arguing he has been “physically and emotionally abandoned.”

The hearing, which began on November 26, revealed that the boy contacted the British Consulate and a child welfare organization after his parents left him in Africa without prior warning, citing concerns over his safety in London. His father’s legal team defended the decision, describing it as a responsible measure to protect the child from potential criminal influences.

Deirdre Fottrell KC, representing the boy, described the situation as “extraordinary,” highlighting the emotional and psychological harm he has endured. She emphasized that the boy, described as “polite and articulate,” with a love for football and cooking, had been enrolled in the school under false pretenses. He reports inadequate care, humiliation, and mistreatment, stating he feels “abandoned and mocked.”

In contrast, Rebecca Foulkes, representing the father, argued that the boy’s deteriorating behavior—such as late nights, aggression, and possession of photos of knives—justified the drastic move. She maintained that the decision was made in the boy’s best interest and that the environment in Africa offered high-quality care and boundaries not available in the UK.

Judge Mr. Justice Hayden noted the restrictive measures imposed on the boy in the UK, including phone monitoring, suggesting they were harsh for someone his age. The hearing is set to continue as the court weighs the boy’s well-being against the parents’ intentions.