The family of an online sperm donor who fathered 15 kids despite not telling the mums he had a genetic condition which causes learning disabilities have defended him, labelling him "kind-hearted".
James MacDougall, 37, advertised on a social media page for lesbian women seeking sperm donors, even though he knew he had Fragile X syndrome which leads to low IQ and developmental delay.
He signed an agreement that he did not want any contact with some of his children but applied to the Family Court for parental responsibility and child arrangements orders, allowing him to spend time with four of his children.
The three mums were opposed to MacDougall's application and judge Mrs Justice Lieven has ruled he should not have parental responsibility for the children as it would cause harm to them. The Derby Court judge also named Mr MacDougall in order to stop other women using him as a sperm donor.
Now, his adoptive parents June and John MacDougall, both 73, have spoken in defence of James and revealed their son's donor obsession.
Mrs MacDougall spoke about how her son was struggling after being banned from being involved in some of the children he fathered.
His incurable genetic condition leads to low IQ and developmental delay which could affect the children he fathered.
Mrs MacDougall, a retired hospital assistant and dinner lady, told MailOnline that her son is gullible but would do anything for anyone.
She said he wanted to help women who were in a lesbian relationship to fulfil their dreams and become parents and, to her knowledge, he didn't seek any money.
Mrs MacDougall and husband John, a retired city council engineer, are now whole-heartedly supporting their son against what they describe as cruel accusations that have been made against him by one of the lesbian mums.
The couple, who also have two other children, told how MacDougall was a carrier of the condition Fragile X.
His mum, who gave evidence in a court case in his support, claimed she was convinced her son would have told the mothers about his condition "to help protect the children".
She told MailOnline : "He wanted to be part of their lives, he wanted to see his children.
"He is kind hearted and would do anything for anybody but he is gullible. 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."
After the hearing, Mrs MacDougall, who was speaking from their family home in Nottinghamshire, claimed her son is a victim in a court ruling which went against him being successful in his bid to be allowed access to four of the children he had fathered.
MacDougall was adopted as an allegedly abused baby, had autism and learning difficulties, and survived on disability handouts while holding down volunteer work.
In a previous court case, 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 the Covid-19 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.”
