A family have been left heartbroken after a Home Office blunder led to a mother-of-three being blocked from returning to her children in the UK.
Patcharee Peacock, 35, was told her visa application had been denied because she had been living in Thailand for the past 11 years.
But mum-of-three had actually been living in Hampshire with her British husband James and their children Jeanna, 11, Jensen, seven, and Junior, six.
Mrs Peacock had travelled back to her native country in January to care for her father following a stroke but was left shocked when her visa, which she applied for in April, was refused on her return.
Since then, her daughter Jeanna has penned a heart-wrenching letter revealing how much she and her brothers miss their mother.
It reads: I really miss my mum. I miss everything about her, her hugs, kisses, kindness. She does everything for me.
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Me and my brothers miss her too much. The only thing I need to make me happy is my mum.
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Jeannas younger brother Junior has also drawn a picture, on which he wrote: Our home is empty without our mum.
Mrs and Mr Peacock met in Thailand in 2003 and returned to Britain in 2017.
Mr Peacock, who runs his own computer repairs company, said: Its absolutely awful to think she wont be here for Christmas as both she and the children were so looking forward to being together at last.
Its not fair on them. They really need their mother and she is desperate to come home. She is heartbroken that she wont be with her children on Christmas Day.
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There have never been any problems with Pat being here, shes never been in the UK illegally.
They are not listening to the fact that they have got it wrong.
Mr Peacocks mother Jane, a social work lecturer at the University of Winchester has supported her son and his family throughout their ordeal.
She said: My son has gone to the ends of the earth to provide everything the Home Office wanted and it has come to nothing.
They have obviously made a mistake but dont want to admit it. My daughter-in-law is the most wonderful person, shes never claimed a penny in benefits and she should be here with her children.
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In a letter to the Home Office, solicitors representing the Peacocks have pointed out the errors made and accused officials of failing Mrs Peacocks children.
A Home Office spokesman said: All applications are considered on their individual merits and in line with the immigration rules.
We have been in touch with Mrs Peacock and are progressing her visa application based on further evidence provided this week.
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