'It's nice to be back - now we want to come back home to Liverpool for good'.Byline: By MARY MURTAGH TWO brothers caught in a transatlantic tug of love tug of love n → Tauziehen nt (um das Sorgerecht für Kinder) are back in Liverpool - but not for good. Louis and Jon Tod are caught in a legal battle in the US, where their father, Jeff, is fighting for the right to bring his sons back to Merseyside permanently. Last year, the boys were ordered by a high court judge to go back to Florida with Mr Tod after he was accused of child abduction Child abduction is the abduction or kidnapping of a child (or baby) by an older person. Several distinct forms of child abduction exist:
Louis, 12, and Jon, seven, are desperate to settle in their home town. The pair flew back to Merseyside last week to attend the funeral of their 77-year-old grandad, Jeff Tod. Their visit is tinged with sadness, but theyr are delighted to be back in their hometown. The brothers have a week of sightseeing and visiting before they have to return to Florida next week. Since Jeff, Louis and Jon returned they have visited the boys' old school, Knotty knot·ty adj. knot·ti·er, knot·ti·est 1. Tied or snarled in knots. 2. Covered with knots or knobs; gnarled. 3. Difficult to understand or solve. See Synonyms at complex. Ash county primary, and caught up with family. Louis said: "It is nice to be back. We are doing lots of things while we are here. It was fun to go back to our old school. We hope that we can come back home to Liverpool for good soon." The boys have been spending time with cousins Jack, seven, and Christopher, 16, and are staying with their dad at their grandmother's home in Knotty Ash. Old school friends have been visiting and Louis has been tucking into his favourite Sayers sausage rolls every day. The pair have also been devouring de·vour tr.v. de·voured, de·vour·ing, de·vours 1. To eat up greedily. See Synonyms at eat. 2. To destroy, consume, or waste: Flames devoured the structure in minutes. bacon sandwiches and watching episodes of Doctor Who. A trip to the Williamson tunnels and the World Museum have also been planned. Jeff, 46, said: "The boys love being back. We really hope that the court case goes our way and we can all come home to Liverpool soon. "It has been lovely to see our family again. A lot of people have been asking about how we have been getting on." The final court case, which will decide whether the boys are allowed to live in the UK or US, is due to begin this summer. Supporters are keeping their fingers crossed that Louis and Jon might be back in Liverpool in time for the new academic year so that Jon can return to Knotty Ash school and Louis can start at St Edwards college, Sandfield Park. The boys are still adamant that they want to come back to Merseyside permanently. Jeff's custody battle Noun 1. custody battle - litigation to settle custody of the children of a divorced couple judicial proceeding, litigation - a legal proceeding in a court; a judicial contest to determine and enforce legal rights has run up a $29,000 (pounds 20,000) legal bill despite his family's fundraising efforts which collected pounds 13,000. marymurtagh@liverpoolecho.co.uk CAPTION(S): UNITED: Jeff Tod with sons Louis and Jon' HOMECOMING: Jon and Louis are back in Merseyside for their grandad's funeral |
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