[G.K Zhukov]

The Birmingham Rag:

"A seven-year-old boy was at the centre of a Birmingham courtroom drama
yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of
him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge
initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law
and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree
possible. The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat
him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When
the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried
out that they also beat him.

After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that
domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took
the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have
custody of him. After two recesses to check legal references and confer
with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to Aston
Villa Football Club, whom the boy firmly believes are incapable of beating
anyone."