Father breaks down as he makes a desperate plea for help finding his missing three-year-old daughter who was 'abducted by her British mother and taken to the UK where she's living rough in a van'
- Victoria McKay believed to left Melbourne in September, taking Ruby with her
- Ruby is just three-yeas-old and it's believed the pair are living in a campervan
- They've been in the UK since September, despite a judge ordering their return
- Her father, Peter Uhd, welcomed the decision to release his daughter's identity
- He said in an emotional interview he never thought her mother would take her
A father has made a tearful and desperate plea for his three year-old daughter, who was allegedly abducted by her mother and taken to the UK.
Victoria McKay, 43, is believed to have left Melbourne in September, taking her daughter Ruby McKay-Uhd with her to live in a campervan.
A British High Court is urging the public for help finding the missing three-year-old, who has been at the centre of family court proceedings involving her Birmingham-born yoga teacher mother and Australian-born yoga teacher father Peter Uhd.
Mr Uhd, 57, who last saw his daughter when she was two-years-old, told Channel 7 on Thursday he never expected Ms McKay would leave with their daughter.
Ms McKay had lived in Australia for more than 20 years. The couple separated some time ago.
'It was quite a shock - I never thought she would leave. I thought she had so much here she really valued,' the father said.
'I think every child deserves the love and care and respect of both of his parents.'
Peter Uhd, 57, (left with daughter) has made a tearful and desperate plea for his three year-old daughter - who was allegedly abducted by her mother and taken to the UK
The father battled through tears as he revealed Ruby was starting to talk the last time her.
A family court judge has ordered Ms McKay return to Australia with their child.
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Justice Michael Keehan expressed grave concerns for the three-year-old's safety and made an appeal for help at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London on Tuesday.
'I am extremely concerned about this young child, who has been abducted from Australia wrongfully by her mother,' said Justice Keehan.
'It is believed she is living an itinerant lifestyle with her mother in a camper van.'
Victoria McKay is believed to have left Melbourne in September, taking her daughter Ruby (pictured) McKay-Uhd with her
Justice Keehan chose to make the identity of the pair public with hopes it would help locate the pair.
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.'
Mr Uhd welcomed the decision to release the identities in hopes Ruby may return to him in Australia, The Australian reported.
Ruby was wrongfully taken to the UK by her mother Victoria McKay (pictured) in September and has stayed there ever since, despite a family court judge ordering their return to Australia
'I don't think she's (Ms McKay) got much money,' Mr Uhd said.
'She's been there over winter. She's got this campervan that's not even a proper campervan, it's a converted work van sort of things. It had a pop-top roof … but it would be freezing up there.'
Lawyers representing Mr Uhd told the court all efforts to find his daughter and Ms McKay had failed.
Barrister William Tyzack told Justice Keehan evidence suggested Ms McKay had 'no desire to be found'.
'Mr Uhd continues to have very real concerns as to Ruby's welfare and about the transient nature of her current life,' he said.
Justice Michael Keehan expressed grave concerns for the three-year-old's safety and made an appeal for help at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court
Lawyer James Netto, also representing Mr Uhd, said the three-year-old and her mother are believed to be living in a blue Renault Trafic campervan.
Mr Netto said it's believed the pair may be living on campsites, caravan parks or on farms.
'Ruby's father remains exceptionally concerned for her welfare as a result of Ms McKay's very transient lifestyle,' Mr Netto said.
'He wishes to make it clear that Ms McKay is not in any sort of trouble.
'He is simply seeking for Ruby to be found safely, and for her to return to her home in Melbourne. He asks that anyone who sees her or Ruby to get in touch with us as soon as possible.'
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