Convicted rapists, who previously were allowed to spend unsupervised time with their children, have been stripped of their parental responsibilities.
Christopher White, who has been described as a “danger to women and children,” did not attend last week's hearing, which was also attended by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ). To decide how I could be involved in my daughter's life.
White had been convicted of raping a stranger, and a family court found he had also raped the mother of his child three times.
The mother asked Judge Kambiz Moradifar to revoke White's parental rights and grant a restraining order restricting him from taking the matter to court again. White's ex-partner also asked the court to extend a restraining order, equivalent to a restraining order, until their daughter's 16th birthday.
The mother's lawyer, Charlotte Proudman, told the court: “The father has caused devastating psychological harm to the entire family, including the children, yet he continues to deny it. It is difficult to see any positive factors which would justify the father being able to exercise custody.”
Parental rights are automatically granted to the mother, and to the father if he is married to the mother or is named on the birth certificate, but these rights can only be taken away by order of a family court, which considers the removal of these rights to be one of the court's most stringent powers.
Proudman argued that White's ability to contact the mother about the child's medical records, school report cards and other welfare issues would trigger psychological trauma as a rape victim.
Despite District Judge Sophie Harrison finding White guilty of serious charges, including rape, he had previously been allowed unsupervised visits with his daughter following a recommendation from the Child and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass).
A visitation order issued by Judge Harrison in February was overturned on appeal by the mother. Judge White's visitation with the girl was suspended pending a final court order and the matter was referred to Moradifar.
Following the appeal, TBIJ and freelance journalist Suzanne Martin Successfully applied to the court She named Mr White, at which point Cafcass' new child protection chief advised the court that Mr White was a “danger to women and children” and that it would be “dangerous to be involved in any way”. [the child]Her life and that of her family.”
In an interview the mother, who was representing herself in court until the February hearing, said it was concerning that two Cafcass officials had reached opposing conclusions.
Cafcass, which was rated “outstanding” by Ofsted earlier this year, declined to comment on the case after the final hearing, but Mr Moradifar said senior Cafcass officials had been in contact with the tribunal to request previous rulings in the case, to see “there may be something to learn”.
At the final hearing, the children's guardianship upheld all of the mother's motions, including the request to terminate White's parental rights.
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In documents filed with the court, the guardian's barrister Craig Jakings wrote: “Mr White is dangerous in that he has been convicted of rape and continues to deny it, as well as convictions established in family court, including three counts of rape, domestic violence and coercive control.”
White served four years of a nine-year sentence for raping a teenage girl in 2008. He reportedly dragged the 19-year-old woman into a yard, threatened to kill her, and raped her twice. He was identified by DNA testing two years later and convicted in 2011.
At the final hearing on Wednesday, Moradifar approved all of the mother's applications, saying: [the child’s] “Welfare benefits”
The judge said White had also not attended the August hearing and had effectively “withdrew” from the process. He added: “I am satisfied that all reasonable and practical efforts have been made to include Mr White in the process and I have denied his application for access.” [his daughter].
“I have rejected his request for contact and [the child]Moradifar said he would explain the reasons for his decision in a written decision to be published at a later date.
After the verdict, her mother told TBIJ she felt bittersweet relief: “I'm glad this is the verdict for my daughter, but I'm sad that this is my child's life.”
“I do not underestimate the fact that had I remained a party to the litigation, this outcome would never have happened. [someone representing themselves without a lawyer]”If we hadn't had a lawyer, the outcome for my daughter may have been very different.”
She added: “I really hope that my case can help other families in a similar situation and shine a light on the family court system and Cafcass. There is a real need for professionals to have proper training in domestic violence and the impact it has on victims.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “The safety of children is absolutely paramount and judges have broad powers to block parental involvement if there is a risk to a child.”
“We will also introduce legislation that would limit the parental rights of parents convicted of child sex offences.”
