OAPs remanded in missing girl case

The grandparents of a missing five-year-old girl at the centre of a tug-of-love dispute have been remanded in custody after a judge concluded that they had lied when asked for information about the child's whereabouts and were in contempt of court.

Brian and Patricia Davies - who are both in their 70s and come from Pentyrch, Cardiff - could be given a jail term when the judge passes sentence next week.

Mr Justice Keehan said he thought that both had information about the whereabouts of their daughter Jacqueline, a 49-year-old teacher, and granddaughter Alice.

Both were led away in handcuffs after a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

The judge also remanded their daughter Melanie - Alice's aunt and a mother-of-two - in custody after concluding that she had also lied and was in contempt. She could also be jailed next week.

Mr Justice Keehan said Jacqueline Davies had been involved in family court proceedings after separating from Alice's father, Julian Brown.

A judge had ruled that Mr Brown - a 49-year-old gas engineer from Aldershot, Hampshire - should have contact with his daughter.

But Jacqueline Davies disappeared with the child and Mr Brown had not seen his daughter for nearly two years.

Mr Justice Keehan said Jacqueline Davies was thought to have travelled to Russia with Alice -although it was not known if she was still there.

He said she was thought to have left the UK in 2012 although it was not known exactly when.

The judge said Alice's grandparents and aunt had been told to provide the court with any information they had about the little girl's whereabouts.

And he concluded - after hearing all three give evidence - that they had not complied and were in contempt.

He said he would pass sentence at a High Court hearing in London on Wednesday.