The father of a nine-year-old girl was granted full custody of the child after his former partner, the child’s mother, abandoned her as a baby and left her with his parents.

Mr Justice Noel Cuschieri heard that the mother had even made a declaration of “unknown father” on the girl’s birth certificate, despite knowing who the father was. After the mother left the infant with his parents, the father asked to be officially recognised and to be granted full custody of the child.

He said he looked after her with the help of his own mother and, although his former partner occasionally visited her daughter, it was he who took full care of the child.

Mr Justice Cuschieri said the evidence produced clearly showed the child should remain with her father and he should have full custody of her.

The mother, the court said, could see the child once a week for two hours at the grandparents.

The names of the people involved are not being mentioned to protect the identity of the child.

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