A (A child) (Care Proceedings: Finding of Fact), Re

A (A child) (Care Proceedings: Finding of Fact), Re

The court found, on the balance of probabilities and by a comfortable margin, that CD poses a significant risk of sexual harm to Child A, having sexually abused his stepdaughter Lara over several years, supported by consistent and credible evidence, corroborated by forensic evidence of pornographic searches. The court also found that AB initially lacked insight into the risks posed by CD and made statements suggesting Lara was responsible for the abuse, raising concerns about her ability to protect Child A. The threshold criteria for a care order are met as pleaded by the Local Authority.

Parties
Applicant: A Local Authority; First Respondent: AB; Second Respondent: CD; Third Respondent: Child A (via Children's Guardian)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
26 November 2025
Procedural Posture
Care Proceedings / Fact Finding Judgment
Outcome
Threshold findings as pleaded by the Local Authority are made; the Local Authority has proved its case.
Legal Topics
Care Orders, Sexual Abuse Allegations, Threshold Criteria, Parental Responsibility, Risk Assessment
Family Law Child Protection Care Orders Sexual Abuse Allegations Threshold Criteria Parental Responsibility Risk Assessment

Case Brief

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Parties

A Local Authority

Applicant

AB

First Respondent

CD

Second Respondent

Child A (via Children's Guardian)

Third Respondent

Procedural Posture

Care Proceedings / Fact Finding Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether CD poses a risk of sexual harm to Child A
  2. 2 Whether AB is able to protect Child A from such risk
  3. 3 Whether threshold criteria for a care order are met

Ratio Decidendi

The court found, on the balance of probabilities and by a comfortable margin, that CD poses a significant risk of sexual harm to Child A, having sexually abused his stepdaughter Lara over several years, supported by consistent and credible evidence, corroborated by forensic evidence of pornographic searches. The court also found that AB initially lacked insight into the risks posed by CD and made statements suggesting Lara was responsible for the abuse, raising concerns about her ability to protect Child A. The threshold criteria for a care order are met as pleaded by the Local Authority.

Court Disposition

Threshold findings as pleaded by the Local Authority are made; the Local Authority has proved its case.

Orders

  • Findings as pleaded in the original and unamended threshold document are made.
  • Concerns regarding AB's insight and ability to protect Child A to be addressed in future assessments.