Mum fights for abducted child (From Stroud News and Journal)

Mum fights for abducted child

"I JUST want my baby back" - those are the heart-breaking words of a Brimscombe mum who has just discovered she has 24 hours to fight for her daughter in a Spanish court.

Time is running out for Tracy Low whose five-year-old daughter Lucy was snatched by her father in November and taken to live in southern Spain.

Tracy, 37, has not seen her only child since then and has just been told that tomorrow could be her last chance to fight for custody.

Her estranged husband David Latham fled to Spain after abducting little Lucy just before Christmas.

Tracy has battled to get her back ever since but received the shock news on Monday that her case is to be heard in a Spanish court tomorrow, Thursday, April 10.

She is frantically trying to get attend the hearing but has said she does not think she will be able to raise the money for the trip in the next 24 hours.

"I don't know how I am going to cope if I can't go," Tracy said. "I just want my baby back. She belongs with me."

Tracy's solicitor received a letter from the Spanish courts last week but had to wait for it to be translated.

Tracy said she feels failed by the legal system which she believes is weighted in favour of her wealthy husband, a retired bank manager.

"I am fed up of waiting around with no one doing anything," she said. "I just feel let down by everybody."

Tracy has been advised if she does not attend the hearing in the Court of First Instance of Totana, it might look like she does not care about Lucy's welfare.

"It really hurts," she said. "I miss her so much. I feel like I'm never going to see her again."

Lucy was taken by her father after they spent a day together on November 23.

The family had lived in Spain for a year until David and Tracy's seven-year relationship broke up in August, 2002.

After their split Tracy, originally from Nottingham, returned to England, changed her name and came to Stroud but David found her and on November 20 took her to court for access to Lucy.

He was granted a full day with her three days later although Tracy told the court of her fears that Lucy would be snatched if the pair were left alone.

"I told them he would take off," she said. "But no one believed me."

A friend was supposed to meet David and Lucy outside McDonald's in Gloucester at 6pm.

When they had not appeared by 6.30pm, Tracy contacted the police.

Lucy and her father managed to leave the country even though Tracy's solicitor had Lucy's passport.

Since then the father and daughter have been living in a three bedroomed house in Mazarron Muncia, southern Spain, where the family used to live together.

Tracy has been trying to get David extradited to England to face abduction charges but so far has had no success.

Tracy expected Lucy back for Christmas and bought her little daughter a pile of presents but they are still waiting to be opened in her empty bedroom.

"I am always thinking about her and I cry at night," Tracy said. "I only get to speak to her occasionally.

"The worst thing is I can't even give her a cuddle."

Before Lucy came along Tracy was told she would never be able to have children.

Last time they spoke on the phone, Tracy said, Lucy asked her father's permission before telling her mum she loved her.

Tracy has pledged to do whatever it takes to get Lucy back. "I am going to fight this all the way," she said.

"All her family are here. She has no one in Spain. "I am not going to let him win."

To get to Spain by tomorrow Tracy would need enough money for a return flight and somewhere to stay in the area.

Anyone who could help her should contact Rachel Pegg at the SNJ on 01453 762412.