Judge rules traumatised woman must remain ward of court to keep her alive

When her case was reviewed this week by Mr Justice Mark Heslin, he continued orders retaining her in wardship but stressed the matter would be reviewed in six months and, depending on the progress made, exit from wardship remains possible.

A vulnerable and traumatised young woman must remain a ward of court for now because discharging her from wardship could put her life at risk, a High Court judge has said.

The woman came here five years ago with her mother and brother as a chronically traumatised teenager, having experienced violence in her native Africa.