Legal News
Judge Overturns Ban on Abducted Child Appeal (11 November 2011)
Date: 11/11/2011
A senior judge has overturned a publicity ban, allowing lawyers to appeal for information relating to the abduction of a four-year-old girl. Solicitors have called for anyone with information relating to the whereabouts of Atiya Anjum-Wilkinson to come forward to enable the young girl to be reunited with her charity worker mother, Gemma Wilkinson. Atiya was abducted from her home in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, by her father, Razwan Ali Anjum, two years ago. Mr. Anjum had reported told Miss Wilkinson that he was travelling with Atiya to Southport in Lancashire. Instead, he flew her to Pakistan. Miss Wilkinson’s lawyers have begun legal proceedings to try to force Mr. Anjum to disclose Atiya’s location. Mr. Anjum is currently serving a prison term for contempt of court. Mr. Anjum is said to have failed to obey a court order and divulge the girl's whereabouts.
Details surrounding the case were unveiled in August following a Court of Appeal hearing in which appeal judges failed to rule in favour of Mr. Anjum’s argument that his repeated jail terms for contempt of court were unfair. At the hearing, appeal judges agreed that the girl’s identity should remain private. However, Lord Justice Hughes recently overturned the publicity ban after journalists challenged the move. He agreed that Atiya's name and photograph should be published to aid the finding of the girl.
Duncan Lewis’ specialised childcare law department includes solicitors experienced in childcare law. The team understands that it is essential for clients to be represented by lawyers who understand the way in which the law affects their family.