Guildford couple cleared of child abuse 'victims of unfair system'

Karrissa Cox and Richard Carter said they now regretted taking their child to hospital

A couple whose baby was taken into care and adopted before they were cleared of child abuse have been the victims of a "biased" process, an ex-MP has said.

John Hemming, who is chairman of the Justice for Families campaign group, said he was supporting Karrissa Cox and Richard Carter in their fight against an "unfair" family justice system.

The couple, from Guildford, have vowed to fight to get their child back.

Surrey County Council said the welfare of the child had been its main concern.

The couple, both 25, came under suspicion when they took the baby to hospital in April 2012 after they spotted blood in the child's mouth.

Bruises were found on the baby and X-rays appeared to show fractures.

'System is wrong'

The infant was taken into care by social services, and was adopted in March following a ruling of abuse by the family courts, despite continuing criminal proceedings.

Ms Cox and Mr Carter were found not guilty of causing injury to their baby last week.

Defence lawyers argued the X-rays were consistent with rickets and the bruising with von Willebrand disease.

Speaking to BBC Surrey, Mr Hemming said it was defined local authority and government policy to increase the number of children adopted.

"The problem is, it's a biased system... towards adoption," he said.

"I don't think that's right. I think people should have a fair trial and you should look at what's best for the child."

Mr Hemming said reversing an adoption was a possibility, but did not happen very often.

"The problem is, the system still is wrong and until the judiciary and the government accept that, actually setting family destruction targets is not a good strategy, the system will continue going wrong," he said.

The head of children's services at Surrey County Council has declined to comment to the BBC.