Runaway parents to adopt sisters

The Bramleys have cared for Jade and Hannah since 1997

Foster parents Jeff and Jenny Bramley are to be allowed to adopt the two children they hid from the authorities during four months on the run.

I wish the children and their family much happiness

Mrs Justice Hogg

The pair fled to Ireland in 1998 with half-sisters Jade Bennett, then five, and Hannah, then four, after Cambridgeshire social services decided they were not suitable parents.

The case sparked national headlines, but abduction charges against the couple were dropped after they agreed to be cautioned and they were allowed to continue to care for the children.

Now Mrs Justice Hogg has ruled that in light of the "very good progress" of the children, the Bramleys will be allowed to formally adopt them.

She said in her ruling: "Mr and Mrs Bramley are to be congratulated for the way in which they have provided the girls with a loving, secure home life.

"I therefore made adoption orders so that these children are now full and permanent members of the family in which they have lived for nearly three years.

"I wish the children and their family much happiness in their future together."

Nationwide search

The couple ran away with the two girls after being told by social services officials that they would not be allowed to adopt the children.

Their disappearance sparked a massive search.

They lived in a series of homes in Ireland before returning to their home in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, in January 1999.

The High Court's family division ruled in the summer of that year that the girls could stay with the Bramleys, with the couple sharing parental responsibility with social services for two years.

Injunctions forbid the Bramleys, or the children's birth mother or Jade's birth father, commenting about the ruling.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire social services said: "All parties involved in this matter are happy that it has now been brought to a successful conclusion and wish the family well for their future together."