No doubt you'll have seen the story of Toby Friend, aged four, who keeps escaping from his home and going to try and catch the train. (Click HERE for story)

"He just loves the train so much... he thinks he can go on his own," his mother, Kirstie Field gushed on the BBC local news then GMTV the next morning.

Tiny terror Toby has escaped 15 times, once he actually got on board the train, said his mum (almost proudly I thought).

And how does his mum think she can deal with his escaping and walking to the station alone, across two main roads?

She wants to put up pictures of her cute little tearaway at trains stations from Ashford to Tonbridge.

During the BBC's report there was an element of the 'ahhh, isn't that cute, look at the little train enthusiast'.

She told the BBC: "He just loves adventure. We don't drive, so apart from the occasional bus, train is our only transport.

"The first time he actually managed to get on a train and asked for a ticket.

"Luckily the train guard didn't leave the station, but there's always that worry that he's going to get on a train and not ask for a ticket, and just go and sit down, and the train just leaves as normal."

Well I’m not sure the world is such a terrible place that an adult passenger wouldn’t at least try to look out for the youngster. You see I’d be more worried about him falling through the gap.

But surely if this mother is struggling to look after little Toby and make sure he doesn't get over the six-foot garden fence and out on to main roads, someone needs to have a word with her.

Once I can understand and I guess it's forgivable, but 15 times surely is becoming irresponsible.

She seemed a pleasant enough woman but putting up wearing posters for your son then telling the world about your son's Houdini act (or your lack of control, delete as you see it) on telly is not necessarily the answer.

I suggest she has a look at her parenting skills, perhaps have a firm word with her wayward son ('Do it again and I'll take away your train set for a week') and fit some proper locks on gates and the like.

And Toby's mum probably ought to address it soon, before those nice people from social services get her number.

Tot's Train Escapade, click HERE

I am writing with regard to the "yourmaidstoneblogge" article on Toby Field - NOT friend as Gary Wright wrote. Firstly, I am the child's godmother and I totally offended by the said article by Gary Wright. Mr Wright needs to get his facts straight before printing such an article as it is slander. Toby had NOT escaped 15 times - only TWICE has he made it to the station. I was with his mother,my close friend when the police came and it was THEY who suggested a poster be given to rail staff to be displayed OUT of the public eye. So posters, were given to each station office and I know they were not on display to the public. The POLICE also said Mr and Mrs Field had done everything possible to prevent Toby from escaping that was within the law. Social Services were called too,and they also said Toby's parents had done EVERYTHING possible to prevent him getting out. I know for a fact that the gate does have a proper lock on it and is locked at all times. How dare you suggest that my friend is a struggling parent and needs parenting skills. That in itself is slander and to suggest "she gushed" on TV is totally untrue. I know what was shown and I also know Toby's parents werent the ones who originally contacted the press. The matter is being dealt with by the Rail Network, as a poster went missing from a station office. Both Mr and Mrs Field are very upset with the article and I suggest an apology is made in your next issue. Toby is not the only youngster to "escape" from home - very recently a child of Toby's age was wandering round LONDON BUS-HOPPING and was MISSING for 6 Hours. So imagine how those parents felt,as that was on the news too.
 
I look forward to hearing from you regarding the said article in issue 104 dated Wed 7th Sept, and I expect a formal apology for the upset caused to Mr and Mrs Field.. Failure to respond, could result in your "blogger" being sued and/or the paper.
 

Editor's reply

Thank you for your comment which I have read carefully.

To deal with each point in turn. I apologise for getting the lad’s name wrong, it is something I insist young reporters always get right and I should have rechecked.

However, anyone who had seen the story on the BBC website (where he was called Toby Friend) or indeed watched Toby’s mum on TV the night before may well have thought the name was correct and will certainly of known to whom I was referring.

The BBC said Toby had escaped 15 times. A reporter in my office spoke with Toby’s father and he told her that the youngster had escaped 15 times. So it would seem the youngster is able to escape. I accept your statement that he “only TWICE has he made it to the station”.

I stand by my views – in what is clearly a comment piece on the reaction of certain parts of the media – that perhaps escaping once is unfortunate but (to paraphrase Oscar Wilde) to escape 15 times is, perhaps, careless.

Finally, and as a father of two children, I appreciate your point that Toby is not the only four year old to escape from home. However I would hope if there is some good that comes out of this episode perhaps it will encourage other parents to be more vigilant.

I am sure this reply will not satisfy your initial anger fuelled at least in part by the fact you know the parents.

However I wish you, Toby and the family well in the future and I shall be happy if I never to see another article about the youngster attempting to escape the safety of his home,