Judge orders search for kidnapped boy
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 HIGH COURT judge yesterday launched a nation-wide search for a 12-year-old boy kidnapped from his home in France by his father and a three-man gang.
Oliver Malkin was getting off his school bus on Monday afternoon when three men held back his grandmother and two uncles who had gone to meet him. He was bundled into a car by his father, Peter Malkin, 54, a country club owner from Kent. His grandmother was dragged along the road by the car.
Lawyers for the boy's mother, Eliza Pridmore, believe Oliver will be brought back to England.
Deputy High Court judge Hugh Bennett QC, yesterday ordered Mr Malkin's arrest for breach of a court order not to remove Oliver from the care of his former wife, who lives at Landevant, near Lorient, Brittany.
Oliver is a ward of court, but the judge lifted reporting restrictions and appealed to anyone with information about the boy and his father to contact their local police.
It was the third time Oliver had been abducted by force. On the first occasion, when his divorced parents were still living in England, he was traced to Devon.
Mrs Pridmore, 36, and her husband Andrew Pridmore moved to France to escape the threat, but Oliver was snatched again by his father and a group of men using CS gas.
He was missing for 19 months before police found him and his father hiding in a secret attic room at Mr Malkin's home in Canterbury.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments