A MAGISTRATE has taken the extraordinary step of writing to two children involved in a custody dispute explaining why he gave sole custody to their mother, even though he doesn't accept her claims that their father abused them.

Federal Magistrate Tom Altobelli published his decision on the court's website, ordering the boy, 11, and his sister, 6, to live with their mother, and that their father's contact be reduced to letters, birthday cards and gifts.



The letter, which is to be opened once the children turn 14, is a personal plea from Mr Altobelli that they renew contact with their father when they are older, explaining that their mother's claims he sexually abused them are false.



The 38-year-old mother and father, 41, began their relationship in 2001, living together until they separated in 2009, after what the court described as an unhappy relationship.



Read the full letter at the Herald-Sun.



Originally published as 'Sorry I took daddy away' - magistrate