A sperm donor fathered 15 children but failed to tell parents that he had a genetic condition which causes learning disabilities and cognitive impairment, a court was told.
James MacDougall advertised himself on a social media page for lesbian women looking for sperm donors - without informing mums he has Fragile X syndrome, which can lead to low IQ as well as problems with memory, executive function and speech.
The 37-year-old also signed an agreement stating he did not want any form of contact with some of his children, but later applied to the Family Court for parental responsibility and child arrangements orders, giving him the right to spend time with four of his children.
The three mums opposed MacDougall's request, with judge Mrs Justice Lieven ruling he should not have parental responsibility as it would cause harm to the youngsters involve, the Mirror reports.
The Derby Court judge also named Mr MacDougall in order to stop other women using him as a sperm donor.
Mr MacDougall signed up to be an online sperm donor because he knew he could not go through a clinic as he has Fragile X syndrome, the court heard.
The court heard one woman, a 25-year-old named as SW, got into contact with MacDougall after seeing his online advert.
Her child, named only as R, now three, was born in October 2018 followed by a second child, named only as P, now aged two.
As a result of the genetic condition, the three-year-old is not verbal and has challenging behaviour.
After the birth, SW contacted McDougall who visited his baby daughter often.
She became pregnant with a second child while McDougall lived at her home during lockdown, before she asked him to leave in June 2020.
She claimed he made sexual comments to her, rubbed his erection against her and showered with the toddler at least twice.
SW has not seen him since an incident in June 2020 when he was arrested for attacking her and leaving her with bruising on her neck and back.
It was also revealed he is the sperm donor of another child, named as L, who was born in 2021 and B, a boy who was born in July 2018.
In a different court, Mr MacDougall won a court case allowing him to have regular contact with child B.
However, the child has returned from contact with him and has non-accidental bruises, Mrs Justice Lieven said.
The judge adjourned the case until she received a report from social services.
He was accused of taking advantage of the mum's desire to have children with no concern on the impact on the mothers and children.
MacDougall was said to have learning difficulties and was on the autistic spectrum, with a profound lack of insight, the judge ruled.
He was also forbidden from applying to the court for the next three years, because of the trauma it would cause to the mothers and his lack of insight into his actions.
She added: "The usual approach of anonymity in the Family Courts should not be used as a way for parents to behave in an unacceptable manner and then hide behind the cloak of anonymity.”
Speaking afterwards to Mail Online, MacDougall's adoptive mum June said her son is "kind hearted but gullible".
Mrs MacDougall added: "He wanted to be part of their lives, he wanted to see his children.
"He just wanted to help those people, help those women in a gay relationship fulfil their dreams and become parents.
"He didn't seek any money, as far as we are aware, for providing that service, he just did it.'"
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