Thomas Sewering, a German national, has been allowed by the first hall of the Civil Court to take his son to Germany, where he had been granted sole custody of the child.

The son had come to Malta with his mother, Alessandra Sewering, about 18 months ago. Recently the boy, now 13 years old, wanted to join his father and his family in Germany and preparations were made for his return.

But the mother filed an application requesting the court to issue a warrant inhibiting the son from leaving Malta. The court provisionally issued the decree.

But that was followed by the father filing a reply to the mother's application.

Sewering argued that the German court had granted him the sole care and custody of the child and that it was in the best interest of the child that he return to Germany, where he was brought up, and to continue his schooling and be with his brother, sisters and friends.

The first hall, presided by Mr Justice Gino Camilleri last Friday recognised and accepted the German court's decree granting sole custody to the father and found that the father's pleadings were acceptable. The court therefore revoked its provisional decree and refused the mother's application.

Dr Hugh Peralta represented the father, Dr Keith Bonnici appeared for the mother.