A couple suing a council for the damage caused to their lives by their adopted son knew the boy had problems, a social worker has told a High Court judge.

The couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, say Essex County Council was negligent in failing to disclose reports that the boy was so uncontrollable.

On Tuesday the social worker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "They were aware they were going to be tested.

"They had information about these children (the boy and his sister, who was also adopted by the couple) and they knew these children would have difficulties."

'Information shared'

The boy was aged five at the time of the adoption in 1996 and is now aged 12 and back in council care.

The social worker told Mr Justice Buckley at the High Court in London that information had been shared with the adoptive parents as soon as it was known.

The social worker said he found "it difficult to believe they knew nothing about" reports from the boy's foster mother which said the boy "would do his utmost for the placement to fail" and would test his carers to their limits.

Cross-examining the social worker, Gavin Millar QC, for the couple, asked whether the parents had been told about a doctor's report which said the boy would need child guidance and specialist help.

'Traumatic background'

The social worker said he expected documents would have been sent on to them.

The report to the West Essex Adoption Panel said: "I'm confident that I would have discussed with them that he had complex needs, that he had had a very traumatic background and that he would need involvement from professionals at some stage."

The boy was later diagnosed as suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and since 1999 has been under medication in special needs care.

The hearing was adjourned until Wednesday.