Danielle Morris initially told Jamie Somers in May 2014 that he was not the father of her baby, Darcy, but then later changed her story. Ms Morris forged a DNA test and arranged for Mr Somers’ name to be written on Darcy’s birth certificate.
Mr Somers soon became a ‘doting dad’ and had his daughter’s name tattooed on his arm, paid up to £7,000 in child maintenance, gifts, a christening and other costs in his role as father. Mr Somers had set a room aside in his house for Darcy and played as full a part as he could in the upbringing of his daughter, looking after her three days and nights every week. Many months later, after repeatedly asking Ms Morris to see the DNA result document, Mr Somers discovered the lie when he called the testing company for more details and was told they had not tested him. Mr Somers then undertook a test himself which confirmed he was not the father. Mr Somers said the results of this test ‘devastated’ him.
Ms Morris has been jailed for one year for fraud at Liverpool Crown Court.
After sentencing, Mr Somers said there was “no celebration on my behalf as a little girl, who was innocent and used as a pawn in Danielle Morris’ game, is inevitably the victim here”.
Paternity is assumed by law if the parents of the child married. The Court can order paternity tests and decide who is to pay for the testing as it is not available on the NHS. It may be that the mother is liable for the costs, or the costs are split between both parents.
If you require assistance with any paternity or child maintenance issue, whether you are a mother or father, contact a member of our specialist Family Law team today on 0161 927 3118.