I am the mother of 2 children aged 8 and 6. In May 2007 we moved to Dubai with my ex partner ( split in 2004 ) their father. His mother was living out there and we decided it would be worth trying to live out there. I made it very clear to both him and his mother that if i did not like it me and the children would return to the UK.

In December 2007 2 days before i was due to fly home for Christmas I lost my job and as a result of this i had no option but to return to the UK permanently as i would incure a 6 month – 1 year ban. Lee and this mother were very aware of this and me and the children would return to the UK to live permanently. 

It was agreed that the children would return to Dubai on the 29th December for a holiday which would give me time to sort accommodation and schooling out for them. They were due to fly home on the 15th January. I received a phone call off my sister (who also lived there) a few days before the children were due to fly home saying there had been a mix up in the dates and consequently they would not be returning until the end of february as she was also returning on that date for her 18th birthday. I was not very happy but reluctantly agreed as it gave the children more time to spend with their father. Again a week before they were due to fly home i received a phone call from their father saying he would not be returning them.