Trio wait to learn if OAP is their father

TWO men and a woman are waiting to discover whether a pensioner who has dementia is their father, following a ruling by a Court of Protection judge.

Mr Justice Hayden has decided that medics can swab the elderly man’s mouth so DNA tests can be carried out.

He made a ruling on Friday after analysing evidence at a hearing in the Court of Protection, where issues relating to people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves are considered, in London.

The judge said the man, who is in his 70s and lives in a nursing home in the north of England, could not be identified in media reports.

He heard that the men and woman suspect that the pensioner, who has “very severe dementia” and cannot communicate, is their father.

Lawyers told him that the pensioner is not expected to live for another year and said the men and woman might have an interest in his estate.

A lawyer who manages the pensioner’s affairs asked the judge to allow swabs to be taken so suspicions could be confirmed or rejected.

Mr Justice Hayden concluded that such a move would be in the man’s best interests.

The judge said there is evidence that the man had wanted to know whether he was the father of the three people when he was able to make decisions.

He said there was a “colourful life” bubbling below the case.

Mr Justice Hayden said he would give detail of the reasoning behind his decision in a written ruling in the near future.

The judge heard argument from a barrister representing the lawyer who manages the pensioner’s affairs and from a barrister representing the interests of the pensioner.