Bramleys face child abduction charges
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A COUPLE who went on the run for 17 weeks with their two foster children are to be charged with abduction, police said yesterday.
Jeff and Jenny Bramley disappeared from their home in Cambridgeshire last September, hours after they were due to return the two little girls to social services.
They reappeared last January and after a private hearing in the High Court, a judge ruled that it was in the interests of Jade Bennett, five, and her half-sister Hannah, three, that the Bramleys be granted temporary custody.
But to the surprise of many of those close to the case, Cambridgeshire police issued a statement yesterday, saying: "A married couple, aged 35, are to be charged with child abduction, the Crown Prosecution Service has advised.
"The couple were interviewed by police officers in January and a file was submitted to the CPS for review and advice."
The couple will appear in court on a date to be fixed. Cambridgeshire social services declined to comment.
But a police source close to the case admitted there was "great surprise" that the CPS had decided to proceed with the case. Abduction carries a maximum seven-year sentence.
A spokesman for the National Association of Probation Officers said that the case was "unique".
The Bramleys disappeared after social services refused them permission to adopt the girls they had been fostering for seven months with a view to keeping them permanently.
They returned only after an open letter from Cambridgeshire social services stated that the department would not oppose them reapplying to adopt the children.
The couple wrote an open letter to several newspapers, pleading to be allowed to be the girls' "Mummy and Daddy forever".
At a private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in January, Mrs Justice Hogg said the children could stay with the Bramleys for the time being.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments