Mum’s battle for her baby

A DISTRAUGHT Oldham mum will present her case to the European Court of Human Rights next month as she fights to win her daughter back from care.

The 22-year-old believes her baby girl was wrongly taken away by social services.

She will present her submissions to the court on April 15, after which the Government will have four weeks to respond.

Six months after giving birth in 2008 the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said her goodbyes to the tot she may never see again.

The woman was herself put into care from the age of six, but says she didn’t receive adequate counselling.

She said: “I was absolutely devastated when I had to give her up. She is the first thing I think about in the morning, and the last thing on my mind at night. I just want her to come home.”

The woman alleges that social services used “crystal ball predictions” about her based on the psychological effects of her upbringing.

The woman added: “I hope this case will have real national significance because I am sure there are others like it.”

She has been helped by a McKenzie friend, or special adviser, from the campaign group Justice for Families.

Her adviser, Jerry Lonsdale, said: “She is using two points — the right to a fair trial and the right to a family life.

“She is also applying through the courts for direct contact with her daughter.”

Oldham councillor Jack Hulme said the legal case made it inappropriate to comment.