In a powerful judgment published on 14 May 2025, June Venters KC successfully represented a vulnerable mother in public law children proceedings involving notorious unregulated sperm donor Robert Albon, better known by his pseudonym ‘Joe Donor’.
Albon, an American national, claims to have fathered over 180 children worldwide through his unregulated sperm donation activities — often carried out via artificial insemination or sexual intercourse, sometimes on the same day he meets women.
In this case, he sought parental responsibility and direct contact with a child he fathered. The court, however, found his motives were self-serving, not child-focused. His primary aim: to bolster his UK immigration status.
More alarmingly, the court concluded that Albon preys on vulnerable women — many with mental health issues and unable to afford regulated fertility services. These women are desperate to have children, and Albon exploits that desperation. He ingratiates himself into their lives, sometimes just to secure shelter, using charm and manipulation to conceal his true intentions.
The Court’s Key Findings:
- Albon seeks control to assert his rightness, gain recognition, and dominate others, especially women.
- He displays persistent controlling behaviour — masking manipulation with ambiguity and harsh emotional expressions. He fails to act in the best interests of children.
- He exploits emotional vulnerability for personal gain, posing a serious risk due to his high volume of female contacts.
- He views sperm donation as a lifestyle opportunity, using it to have sex, secure housing, boost immigration claims, and assert control.
- His priorities lie in having more children, not their welfare.
- He disrupts lives and poses a risk.
- Perpetrators of domestic abuse like Albon should not be permitted to rely on children’s Article 8 rights to block publication.
The judge observed:
"He will seize opportunities from his sperm donor activities to gain rewards — whether through sex, immigration advantages, housing, or personal recognition. His priorities lie elsewhere — not with the welfare of his existing or future children."
Thanks to Ms Venters KC’s advocacy, the court refused Albon’s application for parental responsibility and direct contact. Instead, he is permitted to send a yearly letter or photo to be kept in a Treasure Box, to be shown to the child when appropriate.
June Venters KC said:
“This case exposes a man with little regard for the children he creates or their mothers. He manipulates women under the guise of donating sperm, only to then embed himself in their lives for his own benefit.
The day after judgment, he told the press: ‘I have fathered 190 children. It’s my duty to populate the planet, and I don’t care what people say about my methods.’ That, if accurate, says it all.
We were only able to shine a light on his actions because of our brave client, who despite her vulnerabilities, was determined to protect other women and children. I’m also deeply grateful to my team — junior counsel Felicity Herdman and instructing solicitor Cally Griffiths — for their commitment and tireless work.”
To read the full judgment click here https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Redcar-Cleveland-v-MA-Albon-and-Anor-Judgment-Approved-for-Publication.pdf
June Venters KC is a dual-qualified barrister and solicitor who provides legal advice and representation to individuals on family and criminal law cases that have children at the heart of them. She is an award-winning lawyer who is also a Family Mediator; a Children Arbitrator; and sits as a Recorder (part-time Family Judge).
Over the years she has undertaken considerable work in the media, taking every opportunity possible to promote the need for Access to Justice.