'Home alone' mother to fly back

Simten Sadiq is expected to fly back to the UK on Tuesday

A mother who is alleged to have left her three young children "home alone" for two weeks is due to fly back to the UK, her former husband has said.

Simten Sadiq's three children, aged 11, six and five, were found hiding under a bed at their home in the Burley area of Leeds on Saturday.

Officers were called to the house on Alexandra Grove by worried neighbours.

Parvez Sadiq said his former wife had been on honeymoon in Turkey "and is expected back on Tuesday".

Mr Sadiq dismissed claims Simten Sadiq had been in Kabul, Afghanistan, with her new husband, a barrister from Austria.

"I can't believe that for a minute, she has family in Turkey and that is where I believe she has been," he said.

The children have been placed with foster carers while police investigation continues.

Neighbours had said the children's mother, who they thought was Turkish, had disappeared about two weeks ago leaving the children in the house.

If I had known, obviously, I would have looked after them and made sure they had enough food Parvez Sadiq, father

It is understood a member of the extended family was supposed to be caring for the youngsters.

West Yorkshire Police confirmed they were called to a property in the Burley area of the city at the weekend and discovered the youngsters.

In a statement, police said: "Officers received a call from a member of the public on Saturday reporting concern for three children at an address in Burley.

"Police attended at the address and found three children aged 11 years, six years and five-years-old and no adult was present.

"They have been brought into protective custody where they are being cared for."

Mr Sadiq said he had not had any contact with his former wife or children for some time.

He lives with their eldest child, a 14-year-old boy.

"It's very concerning for the welfare of the children," he said.

"If she did leave they they must have been in a very, very, strange situation.

"If I had known, obviously, I would have looked after them and made sure they had enough food.

"I'd love to hold them and kiss them and make sure they are all right but it's out of my hands."