Liverpool Echo Report.

LIVERPOOL ECHO (AP) - A seven-year-old boy was at the centre of a

Liverpool courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling

over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being

beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his

aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring that

family unity be maintained to the degree possible.

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him

more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When

the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy

cried out that they also beat him.

After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning

that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the

judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who

should have custody of him. After two recesses to check legal references

and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary

custody to Everton Football Club whom the boy firmly believes are

incapable of beating anyone.