Dad faked paternity test with uncle’s DNA to avoid paying £18,000 child support for son
A father falsified a paternity test using his uncle’s DNA to avoid paying £18,000 in child support for his son.
The parent tricked a doctor by sneaking out to his car to perform the test after claiming he was not the three-year-old’s father.
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He had his uncle, who thought the procedure was a work matter, perform a cheek swab on him.
The test then came back revealing the father, who cannot be named, was not the boy’s biological father. Email online reports.
His deception only came to light when the toddler’s mother contested the result and a new swab was taken after the father’s arrest.
He pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Bexley Magistrates’ Court but escaped prison.
Instead, the man was given a 12-month community order, including 200 hours of community service and 15 days of rehabilitation activity.
The court was told he managed to avoid paying a total of £18,479.41 for his son’s care.
This meant the mother struggled to cope and was forced to skip meals to cope money.
In a victim impact statement, she said: “The incident has affected me in so many ways.
“I was on holiday when I got the call that my son wasn’t his and I was shocked.
“I felt like he was in total control and was trying to get out of paying news I was upset and upset, but knew something had been tampered with.
“I had to get the right result for my son. A huge burden was lifted from my shoulders.
“When the payments stopped, I struggled a lot and knew I shouldn’t be in this position.
“I had to be in control and sometimes I would just have a cup of tea or coffee instead of a meal so my children could eat.”
Tessa Donovan, defending the case, said her client made an “extremely poor decision” and “freaked out” about the money.
JPs heard he is now paying £680 a month to cover current payments and arrears.
The father was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 and £85 costs.