An online sperm donor who did not reveal he had a genetic condition that affects IQ before fathering 15 children says that he has done a “good thing” and not behaved dishonestly.
James MacDougall, 37, advertised on a social media page for lesbian women seeking sperm donors despite knowing he had Fragile X syndrome which leads to low IQ and developmental delay.
He went on to father 15 children and then despite signing an agreement that he did not want any contact with some of his children, MacDougall applied to the Family Court for parental responsibility and child arrangements orders.
This would allow him to spend time with four of his children.
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.
But MacDougall has stood firm claiming that he has done nothing incorrectly.
"I haven't done anything wrong,” he told the Daily Mail.
"I did a good thing by helping these women, I gave them children but people are saying that I was not honest. The full truth will come out. I'm very angry and upset."
He is also being supported by his adopted parents June and John MacDougall who said he is upset at not being able to have a part to play in the bringing up of the children.
Mrs MacDougall claimed that the accusations against him were “cruel” and said that he was “carrier” rather than a “sufferer” of the Fragile X condition.
"Rather than being a sufferer he is a carrier which he could pass on to the next generation. He inherited it from his birth mother, as his two half siblings did," said Mrs MacDougall.
"But he would have told those mothers about the condition, we are convinced he would, to help protect the children."
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, Mrs Justice Lieven 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.”
