A Chester County judge has denied a request from Scottish national Alan Bromly to travel back to the United Kingdom while he awaits trial on serious charges involving his 2-year-old son. During a hearing on Monday, Common Pleas Judge Sarah Black ruled against the request, emphasizing the potential risks involved.
Bromly, who came to the United States to coach soccer, faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. The prosecution alleges that Bromly allowed his son to come into contact with cocaine that was found in a child’s “sippy cup” and a baby bottle in his apartment in Exton, Pennsylvania.
Evan Kelly, Bromly’s attorney, argued that his client needed to return to Scotland to see his family and search for work. He described Bromly as lacking a support system in the U.S., stating, “He wants to go to Scotland to be around people he loves.” Bromly himself expressed the emotional toll of being separated from his family, saying, “I haven’t been able to see any of my family. It is obviously rough on them.”
Despite Bromly holding a green card allowing him to stay indefinitely in the U.S., his ability to provide for his son has been severely impacted since his arrest. The prosecution, led by First Assistant District Attorney Erin O’Brien, opposed the travel request, citing the serious nature of the charges. O’Brien outlined concerns that if Bromly were allowed to leave, there would be nothing preventing him from failing to return for trial.
“The child’s condition improved, but tests showed the presence of cocaine in his system,” O’Brien stated, referencing medical records from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where the child was treated after suffering seizures. She highlighted that police had been called to Bromly’s residence, where officers found the child unresponsive and covered in vomit.
The court heard that Bromly’s estranged wife had informed authorities that she shared custody of their son and was alerted by Bromly when he called her to report the child’s seizures. Upon her arrival, she described the apartment as typically filthy and mentioned previous concerns about Bromly’s drug use.
In a search of the apartment, police discovered items that tested positive for cocaine. O’Brien cautioned that allowing Bromly to leave the country could complicate his return, especially in light of stricter immigration policies under the current administration.
Kelly pointed out that Bromly had come to the U.S. to coach youth soccer and had previously been affiliated with the Scottish Gold & Gray Soccer Academy in Chester County. However, he was dismissed from that position following his arrest. Kelly noted that Bromly has made efforts to recover from his substance abuse issues since the incident.
Judge Black acknowledged Bromly’s desire to reconnect with his family but ultimately decided that maintaining his presence in the U.S. was paramount. “I am sure a familial system would be good for you,” she remarked, while denying the motion. She advised that his family would need to visit him instead.
The legal proceedings surrounding Bromly’s case continue, with the next steps pending as he remains in the U.S. awaiting trial.
