Judge names prolific sperm donor in warning

A UK judge has publicly named a prolific sperm donor in a family law case, warning the public of the dangers of unregulated donation.

Robert Charles Albon, who advertised his services as a sperm donor online under the name 'Joe Donor', has been publicly named in the case of A v B and others. The case concerned child arrangements of D (aged two), born to a same-sex couple B and C, following a sperm donation by Albon (A). The judgment was delivered in 2023, but has only now been made fully public.

'There is a clear public interest in naming A as "Joe Donor",' Judge Jonathan Furness KC said in his judgment. He added, 'he is a man who intends to continue donating sperm and vulnerable women who are interested in such services should fully understand the risks of becoming involved with him.'

It is rare for parties in family court cases concerning children to be named publicly. The application to name Albon was brought by the children's guardian, acting on behalf of D, and supported by both mothers.

In his online advertisements, Albon claimed that he would 'leave it up to the mother as to whether there should be any contact' between him and any biological children born following donation. He met D once as a baby, and the court heard that D's mothers had no intention of further contact unless D expressed interest in the future. However, Albon applied to the court in 2021 seeking parental responsibility, contact with D, a change to the child's names, and to be named on the birth certificate.

He suggested that D should call their non-biological parent 'aunty', despite the child knowing her as 'mother' since birth. The non-biological mother described the legal battle as 'a nightmare and a horror story'. The court heard how the stress of the two-year legal battle had affected the biological mother's mental health and contributed to the breakdown in the mothers' relationship.

In rejecting Albon's applications, Judge Furness said Albon's claims were 'wrapped up in a veneer of seeking to protect the welfare of D but in reality he is man who seeks to control, women and children appear to be almost a commodity to him as he sets about increasing the number of his children around the globe.'

In an interview with the Sun last year, Albon claimed to have fathered more than 180 children in 14 years. In the UK, sperm donation within a licensed clinic is regulated. The number of recipient families is limited to ten per donor, and donors are subject to medical screening and cannot claim legal parenthood or remain anonymous. Donations arranged outside of a licensed clinic, as in this case, are not regulated.

Judge Furness concluded: 'I am satisfied that there is a public interest in naming A as Joe Donor in order to protect women from the potential consequences of unregulated sperm donorship, generally, but also from Joe Donor himself.'