To: Electronic Telegraph <et.letters@telegraph.co.uk>

Re: DNA tests expose the world’s oldest and cruellest deception

Date: Mon, 30 April 2001

 

 

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Dear Sir/Madam,

 

The case you report in last Friday’s Telegraph of an American being ordered by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts to continue paying child support for a child that a DNA test has proved not to be his is the worst miscarriage of justice I have heard about in a long while (Man to pay for another's girl, Friday 27 April 2001).

 

The woman committed a diabolical crime of deception, not only towards the man, but also towards her own daughter and all the others involved (grandparents, uncles, aunts etc.), for which she has been rewarded instead of being severely punished as she deserves, and which is necessary to deter others from doing the same.

 

The pain and anguish that she has probably caused, and will continue to cause, particularly to her own daughter, who will likely suffer deep psychological damage, does not bear thinking about.

 

As DNA testing becomes more readily available, we can expect to hear a lot more such cases, also in Britain. Hopefully here the courts will place the blame squarely where it belongs: with those women who lie (or keep to themselves any doubt) about the paternity of their children.