A baby taken abroad by his parents after social workers put in place a child protection plan has been returned to the UK, a High Court judge was told today.

Abdul Chhatbar, who will be one in May, had been taken to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by his parents - Yunus Chhatbar and Safiya Rehman - in October after Leicester City Council officials raised concerns.

A lawyer representing the council today told Mr Justice Mostyn - at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London - that Abdul and his mother and father had all returned.

The judge heard that the couple were not living together.

He said Abdul would stay with his mother until long-term welfare decisions had been made.

Both Mr Chhatbar and Ms Rehman were at today's hearing.

Ms Rehman told the judge how she had been afraid that her son would be taken into care.

Detail of the case had emerged following a High Court hearing in February.

The judge today heard evidence at a private hearing but said the case could be reported and Abdul and his mother and father could be named.

:: Mr Chhatbar today apologised after calling Mr Justice Mostyn a ''joker'' - and questioning his abilities as a parent - when giving evidence at the February hearing via a video link from Northern Cyprus.

"I would like to apologise for my outburst," Mr Chhatbar told the judge. "I was under a lot of stress. Afraid I might lose my son."

Mr Justice Mostyn told him: "It is accepted and it is quite big of you to do that."