The mother was found guilty and the judge had decided that the boy would go to live with his estranged father.

But the boy quietly quivered ‘Please don’t’

‘Why not?’ The judge asked.

‘Because he beats me too.’

‘Oh my dear boy. Do you want to stay with your grandparents instead?’ the judge asked.

But the boy didn’t reply.

The judge was furious, but he maintained his composure for the sake of the boy.

‘Please come up here so I can better hear you’ The judge said.

The little boy walked up and gingerly sat down on the judge’s lap.

‘Now my boy. I am here to make sure that no one will ever hurt you again. I’m afraid that I don’t know who has been violent against you and who hasn’t. So it is entirely up to you. Tell me who you would feel safest with and I will make sure those are the ones that will take care of you.’

The boy thought long and hard and answered: ‘Manchester United. They’ve never beaten anyone.