Hartest grandfather in custody battle to bring his murdered son's children back from China

The parents of a British man murdered in China hope to find out within weeks if their battle to win custody of his children has been successful.

Ian Simpson, of Hartest, his ex-wife Linda and wife Diana are fighting to bring their grandchildren Jack, seven, and Alice, six, back from China to live in Suffolk.

Ian’s son Michael, who lived in Shanghai, was murdered by his estranged wife Weiwei Fu in March 2017.

Last month, Weiwei was sentenced to life imprisonment and will serve at least 20 years.

A custody hearing to decide the fate of Michael’s two children is due to take place in September, with a final decision made within about a month.

Mr Simpson, of Brockley Road, said: “The last 16 months have been like a roller coaster ride. We go forward and then it feels like we come crashing down, then we go forward again.”

Mr Simpson said some good news in the case was that Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt had raised the issue with his Chinese counterpart on a recent visit to China, which allows Foreign Office civil servants to liaise with Chinese officials at a higher level.

But there are worries over where the custody court hearing will take place and whether the case will be treated fairly, said Mr Simpson.

“The paperwork was delayed because we had to send more information, which has cost a further £2,500.

“I am still fearful about the paperwork and whether the court will accept it,” said Mr Simpson. “But we have a lot of people turning up to the hearing, including the press, so we hope that will at least give us a fair hearing.

“They will take about a month to make a decision but that decision is final; there is no appeal.”

Mr Simpson has already agreed to demands to take the children back to China every two years if he gains custody of Jack and Alice.

Michael, 34, was a director at high street retailer Next and moved to China for work nine years ago, where he met and married Weiwei.

Following their separation Michael began another relationship, but the pair were attacked by Weiwei in their home, leaving Michael dead and partner seriously injured.

A Just Giving page to raise £10,000 towards legal costs has been set up at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jack-and-alice