Woman deceived ex-partner that she had given birth to his babies, judge rules

A woman convinced her former partner she had given birth to two children who most likely did not exist in what a High Court judge described as an "extraordinary" and "elaborate campaign of deceit".

The man, who has not been named but was referred to as John during the hearing, applied to the Family Court after he was told the woman had sold their two children for a combined £500.

The case heard that the man received messages and photos of the children and paid the woman around £30,000 over the course of two years.

But in a hearing in February, the woman, who was referred to as Jane, told the judge she had lied about the pregnancies for revenge, claiming the man had abused her.

The court heard the man believed he was the children's' father because in late 2022 his partner told him she was pregnant, sent pictures of an ultrasound image and had become "visibly pregnant" as time went on.

In May 2023, shortly before the first baby was due, the woman called the police alleging she had been assaulted by the man.

He was arrested and subsequently held on remand for several months, Mrs Justice Judd said in her ruling which was published on Friday.

Following this, the woman sent a message to his stepfather saying the baby had been born as well as sharing baby photos.

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