The North Staffordshire half-siblings have been hauled before magistrates
North Staffordshire Justice Centre
Two half-siblings have been hauled before the courts – after having a child together. The North Staffordshire defendants, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had incestuous sex.
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the pair were introduced as half-siblings sharing the same mother. They then had an illicit encounter.
Their secret was exposed when Staffordshire Police were called to an address over a domestic incident. Officers discovered the defendants at the property along with a child. The male defendant was referred to as the child’s uncle – but the defendant referred to the infant as ‘my kid’ while the child called him ‘daddy’.
Prosecutor Kyle Padley said: “Police became suspicious and a DNA test was ordered. The test revealed the pair were half-siblings and that the child belonged to them, which strongly suggests they were involved in sexual activity.”
During the prosecution’s opening remarks, the male defendant became visibly upset, shouting: ‘That’s my kid they’re talking about’. Court security officers were forced to remove him from the building.
Both defendants had pleaded guilty to engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a relative.
Sarah Bedford, mitigating for the female defendant, said that she is a deeply remorseful individual of previous good character who poses no risk of reoffending.
Ms Bedford told the court: “She is the sole carer of the child, who is at the heart of these proceedings. These are quite emotional proceedings for all who are involved. The defendant has accepted her part in this and accepts responsibility. The defendants are half-siblings. She was adopted at birth and raised in and out of care. She met her mother and half-brother as an adult.
“She is a hard-working mother and single parent. She is a very well-behaved individual and it’s unfortunate that she finds herself in this position.
“I do not feel that the custody threshold has been crossed. She was suffering with insecurity at the time and alcohol played its part. This incident is something she will have to live with for the rest of her life. She has no previous convictions and presents no threat to public security. I ask your worships to consider a financial penalty or a community order.”
Magistrates issued an arrest warrant for the male defendant. The female defendant was ordered to pay a £443 fine.
The magistrates told her: “We have listened carefully to everything that has been said. This is a very unpleasant and difficult situation for everyone involved. We have considered the recommendation of imposing a community order, but there doesn’t appear to be anything you could or should be working on. We also don’t see any benefit in imposing a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.”
Get even more North Staffordshire exclusives – and it is free