Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Fathers rights

4 replies

Lusky76 · 26/02/2023 14:09

Hi everyone. I am not sure where best to post this so this is the best place I could find.

I have a 8 month old baby. I was befriended by a much older man for many years I met him in a very vulnerable position. I met him 6 years ago. had been vulnerable over the years as this man knew my weaknesses from troubles I had. He boyfriend had committee suicide when I met this man. I am now 38 years old he is 68. We are not married. He has 2 other kids now in their 40s.

I found out he had another child from someone else when I was pregnant that he doesn't see (he says the mother of the child wouldn't let him see the child) he said he tried taking her to court.

Their isn't much point delving too much on this but I don't want any criticism so I will explain a little. I never saw him romantic I saw him as a friend. He always listened was there for me
He admitted he had intentions from when he first met me he said I looked like I could of been one 20s but still fancied me and fell in love there and then. I always dismissed anything and it was obvious to him I would not be interested in him. He knew I was hoping to find a man to settle down with and over the last two years he knew I wanted children. He kept saying to me he can offer everything I've wanted and what am I going to do as I can't find a decent man. He would 'cry' seeing kids out saying why can't we have one of them etc.

He pays £6.42 a week for child through child maintenance. He is claiming to be on only benefits but runs own business.

I expressed my concerns on having a baby with him due to the big age gap and the affect it could have on the child plus him being much older but he made me feel it wouldn't be a problem and because my desire to have a baby it took over.

There were lots of other concerns already there including the safety, he is a very careless person, dangerous driving, and extremely unhygienic and suffers health issues due to smoking.

He had been saying his priority is to see baby. We recently had mediation and it was agreed him to drop the court stuff (pushing for a paternity test) and then he can see baby. I asked for this in writing. But I heard from his solicitor hours after when the meeting was meant to be saying he won't be dropping the court case. So the meeting didn't happen so is continuing to push for the court.

These are the things I have put to CAFCASS:

Gets very aggressive when questioned anything he doesn't like, mentally abusive.

This much older man groomed me (I had counselling when pregnant)

Severely unhygienic dog urination and feacses all over carpet and bed and sofa saturated in carpet and sofa , rats in garden

Generally unhygienic has a horse doesn't change clothes from stables or wash hands handles food items from garage where he works left everywhere oil etc on clothes

Dog is blind 14 years old incontinent has health issues open bleeding wounds

Dangerous driving several times I experienced speeding through red lights clipping other vehicles wing mirrors texting while driving
(That's last time I got in his car)

Leaves pills lying about on floor and worktop , dog pills and human

Has cupboards packed of different pulls, many different antidepressants (he said he doesn't need them) but many recent dates. Known to take valium (says because of every woman and ex wife)

He has got part of the house done because at the time I pushed it that a baby couldn't live there. But some is still the same and poor dog.

Admitted to not having any involvement with kids when younger no experience of nappy changes etc etc.

I have read that unless a man/woman is a peadophile or drug use then they aren't a risk to the child.

Wondering if anyone has had experience of a similar situation? If they know what may happen here with my situation? My biggest fear is him having unsupervised access and or being left with people I don't know. Wondering how long the court would order to be supervised for. And if they would take his age into consideration?

If anyone has any useful information help I would appreciate very much thank you in advance.

Also if I keep refusing the DNA if ordered by the court what could happen?

Thank you

OP posts:
MoggyP · 26/02/2023 14:21

If you refuse a paternity test, then the court will conclude that what the other party asserts is correct.

So if he says he is the father and you refuse testing, then his assertion will be upheld. And he is the father, isn't he?

You were 32 when you met. It might be hard to demonstrate grooming unless there are factors you have not mentioned.

The baby is the one with rights here, and that includes a right to a relationship with both parents.

You should mention the state of his house his house, and then someone can look at it and make sure it is brought up to standard before DC starts visiting there. In the meantime, contact at some suitable other venue.

Inability to change a nappy won't be a factor - loads of us have never/rarely changed nappies until we've had to care for an infant, and people pick it up just fine

Alicetinker99 · 26/02/2023 14:25

He has as much right to his child has you do - you chosen to have a baby with him and like PP say your 32... I don't think him "grooming" you is going to stand to be honest.
Dont refuse a paternity test.

PatriciaHolm · 26/02/2023 14:32

lso if I keep refusing the DNA if ordered by the court what could happen?

Then assumption will be made that he is the father. Denying the DNA isn't going to stop him, eventually, getting parental rights.

Your problem as far as court is concerned is that everything you have listed is effectively your opinion on things you don't like/approve of. I'm not saying it sounds great, but it's unlikely to prove much of a blocker in court, especially if he says he'll improve and will put the babies needs first.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Lusky76 · 28/02/2023 21:24

Thank you for your reply

This week the court are discussing where is best to go from here with the papers they have and from cafcass

I rang the court to ask what this entails they said neither party attends caccass should be there and will discuss what to do whether their will be a hearing or the court may order you to do something I was told

In the cafcass report they do suggest contact centre but for how long he would be supervised I don't know

Thought I would let you all know update as you taken time to reply

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page