Disabled boy detained under Terrorism Act

[23 July 2008]

A plain clothes police officer accused the parents of a 12-year old disabled boy of child trafficking at a Channel crossing.

Julie Maynard and her husband Leslie Coombs were taking a day trip to Calais when they were stopped by a detective constable from the Channel Tunnel Policing Unit. The officer has since been transferred from duties and Kent Police have apologised for the incident, describing it as 'inappropriate, unprofessional and lacking in tact'. The family's car was apparently surrounded by officers and the family was ordered to get out of their car. Ms Maynard was separated from both her husband and son, who is autistic and has cerebal palsy, and taken to a detention room for questioning.

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