An online sperm donor fathered 15 kids without telling the mums he had a genetic condition which causes learning disabilities, a court heard.

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.

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, allowing him to spend time with four of his children.

The 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.

Mr MacDougall signed up to be an online sperm donor because he knew he could not go through a clinic as he has Fragile X syndrome, the court heard.

The court heard one woman, a 25-year-old named as SW, got into contact with MacDougall after seeing his online advert.

Her child, named only as R, now three, was born in October 2018 followed by a second child, named only as P, now aged two.

As a result of the genetic condition, the three-year-old is not verbal and has challenging behaviour.

After the birth, SW contacted McDougall who visited his baby daughter often.

She became pregnant with a second child while McDougall lived at her home during lockdown before she asked him to leave in June 2020.

She claimed he made sexual comments to her, rubbed his erection against her and showered with the toddler at least twice.

SW has not seen him since an incident in June 2020 when he was arrested for attacking her and leaving her with bruising on her neck and back.

It was also revealed he is the sperm donor of another child, named L, who was born in 2021 and B, a boy who was born in July 2018.

In a different court, Mr MacDougall won a court case allowing him to have regular contact with child B.

However, the child has returned from contact with him and has non-accidental bruises, Mrs Justice Lieven said.

The judge adjourned the case until she received a report from social services.

Mrs Justice Lieven has ruled he should not have parental responsibility for 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, the judge 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.”