Judge appeals for help finding girl 'living with mother in camper van'

Mr Justice Keehan said Ruby McKay-Uhd and her mother, Victoria McKay, 43, are believed to be living in a camper van, and he is "extremely concerned" about the girl.

The judge made an appeal for help at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London on Tuesday.

Ruby has been at the centre of family court proceedings in Melbourne, Australia, involving her mother and father, yoga teacher Peter Uhd, 57, the judge has heard.

She was wrongfully brought to the UK by her mother in September and a family court judge in Melbourne ordered her return to Australia.

The judge heard that Mr Uhd is Australian, Ms McKay was born in Birmingham but had been living in Australia for more than 20 years, and Ruby was born in Australia.

The case has been analysed at private High Court hearings in London.

Mr Justice Keehan lifted an identity bar in the hope that publicity would help find the youngster and her mother.

He also authorised the publication of photographs.

Lawyers representing Ruby's father had asked to judge to allow Ruby's disappearance to be revealed.

They said all other efforts to trace her and Ms McKay had failed.

"I am extremely concerned about this young child, who has been abducted from Australia wrongfully by her mother," said Mr Justice Keehan.

"It is believed she is living an itinerant lifestyle with her mother in a camper van."

He said he was concerned for the girl's health and that no-one knew anything about the circumstances in which she was living.

The judge added: "It is extremely important, and necessary for the welfare of this young child, that all possible steps are taken to locate her as soon as possible."