Father back
in jail for failing to return girl

Tamer Salama was told by Mr Justice Cobb, sitting at the High Court in London, it was time for him to “wake up” and recognise the “state of affairs” was not in his daughter’s best interests.

Elsa, who turns six next month, has not been seen or heard from by her English mother Naomi Button, 39, who lives in Leeds, since a family visit to Egypt in December 2011.

Egyptian-born Salama has been in custody since January last year and was serving a total of two years for contempt of court until Mr Justice Cobb ruled on Monday he had committed fresh breaches of the court orders made in relation to Elsa and should serve another year.

The couple had married in Egypt in December 2005 and their daughter was born in Egypt. The family moved to England in 2007 but the couple separated in 2009, with Elsa remaining in her mother’s care.

Giving the background to the case, the judge said in December 2011 they both went to Sharm El Sheikh for a holiday with Elsa, so she could see her family.

The judge said: “Whilst there, there was a disagreement. The mother said that the father removed Elsa at that stage from her care. The mother returned to England alone in December 2011 and issued wardship proceedings.”

Mr Justice Cobb said Elsa was still being deprived of the “love and care” of her mother adding: “I am satisfied that her father has it in his power to achieve the restoration of her relationship”.

“I regard the continued state of affairs as one which is wholly outside Elsa’s best interests and I believe that the father needs now to wake up and recognise that.”

He added it was “vital in Elsa’s interests that she is restored to the care of her mother”.

Anyone with information about Elsa, who has dark, wavy hair, brown eyes, and usually wears glasses, should call 101 and ask to speak to Leeds District Safeguarding Unit at West Yorkshire Police and if dialling from outside the UK the number is 00 44 192 437 5222.