Father sent to prison over CSA, despite ex-wife’s protests
A loving father who both provided for, and cared for his children while his ex-wife worked, was sent to prison because of the child support agency, despite the children’s mother protesting saying she wouldn’t be able to work if he wasn’t there to look after the kids.
Michael Cox is 43 and a barrister.
The parents had an arrangement worked out between them, the father provided for the children whenever they needed anything. He shared custody of the children. Everyone was happy, except for the CSA, as they weren’t getting their cut.
This a tale of horrific management on behalf of the child support agency as they’ve broken up a unit that was working and sent the father of three children to prison, when he had done nothing wrong. None of the family asked for, nor wanted the ‘help’ or interference of the CSA. The CSA of course had other ideas.
The DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) responded with a typically standard statement that showed no understanding of the circumstances whatsoever:
We always give non-resident parents every opportunity to comply with their responsibilities, but will take enforcement action where necessary. We will continue to reform the system of child maintenance to ensure that all parents fulfil their duty of care.
Michael Cox acts as a legal advisor for Fathers 4 Justice, who believe the CSA have victimised Michael because of his involvement in their organisation. Fathers 4 Justice’s Matt O’Connor said:
Prisons are bursting at the seams and yet here is a man that has been vindictively pursued by the CSA, to jail him on a matter of principle is scandalous.
He already looks after, feeds, clothes and provides a roof over their heads half the time. Why should he have to pay that money twice?
He’s treated as an absent father because of his gender.
This shows how the child support agency has completely lost the plot with regards to providing for children. How does taking a father of three and jailing him help the kids? They’ve lost their father and their mother is now unable to work because of the CSA, costing the country more money in terms of benefit for her and keeping the father in prison.
Well done CSA!
Via the BBC
3 thoughts on “Father sent to prison over CSA, despite ex-wife’s protests”
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this is absolutely rediculous! i am in a similar situation where i paid for school clothes, shoes, toys and all that a child needs as well as head lice treatment every weekend when she came to me. i can see me ending up in jail because the csa cannot take what they want from my wages because of a pay threshold and my work, thankfully keep to that threshold. i have offered to pay 120 per month which is a massive chunk of my money left after bills which i am willing to pay but the mother is unwilling to do anything about it.
the csa can be utter retards about this.
This is a case in its rarity I am sure. I feel for the father and mother. However there are dead beat dads out the who DO NOT pay and support their children and these are the ones the csa need to work on.
My ex partner can only have supervised visits due to his new drinking and drig habits so decided he will not pay for children he does not see! He has mounted up a £4000 something csa bill! How is this fair to his kids who go without and I (who works) have the stress and struggle to clothe and feed the kids. (wish I do as they are worth every sacrifice)
Please may spread the word and please let’s try setup a REAL COLLECTIVE RESPONSE to this mess.
A protest March for fairness! on FEB 1ST 2014 @ 10 DOWNING ST and DWP Head office.
Who’s in?