A sperm donor who claims to have fathered more than 180 children across multiple countries has lost his High Court challenge to be legally recognized as the father of a child conceived from his donation.
Details of the Case
Robert Albon, known online as ‘Joe Donor,’ operates as an unregulated donor and advertises his services on social media. Originally from the United States and in his mid-50s, he began donating sperm in 2013 and moved to England in 2020. His donations have reportedly led to children born as far away as Argentina and Australia.
In 2019, the mother of the child, referred to as N and born in 2021, entered a relationship with a cisgender woman who later identified as transgender and transitioned to male. The couple researched donors and selected Albon. He visited their home for the first donation, receiving £100, but it did not result in pregnancy. A second donation, compensated with a £150 Amazon gift card, led to conception. The mother informed Albon of the birth but made clear there would be no further contact.
The mother’s former partner appeared on N’s birth certificate as the father. The couple separated in 2023, prompting Albon’s October 2024 High Court application in London for a paternity declaration.
Judicial Decision
Sir Andrew McFarlane, in a judgment released on April 21, dismissed the application, ruling it contrary to public policy. He noted the false birth certificate declaration was reported to police, who took no action.
The judge referenced a prior Middlesbrough family court case involving another child, CA, born in early 2023. Mr Justice Poole denied Albon increased contact, describing him as lacking empathy, seeking control, and willing to provide sperm or engage sexually with almost anyone who asks. Sir Andrew quoted Poole’s assessment: Albon is ‘not a man troubled by self-doubt’ and leaves ‘personal turmoil’ in vulnerable women’s lives.
Sir Andrew stated: ‘I accept that if a declaration were made the mother would never know when, or if, Albon might once more step forward and that this would be unsettling for her.’ He added that Albon’s behavior shows no governance by recognized moral principles, making a paternity declaration an endorsement of his activities.
The judge described the case as extreme, involving donations on an unprecedented scale, and confirmed the mother’s former partner is not N’s legal or biological father.
Legal Commentary
Connie Atkinson, family law partner at Kingsley Napley who represented the mother, welcomed the decision: ‘Whilst he is the biological father, it would not have been appropriate for him to be able to assert himself as a legal parent or to exercise any of the rights that may flow from that.’
