Judge rules man can be sterilised

[Bald Bouncer]

The judge's ruling is a legal first



A judge has made legal history by sanctioning the sterilisation of a man "in his best interests".

The 36-year-old, from the Midlands, has learning difficulties and already has a son, born in 2010, with his girlfriend.

Mrs Justice Eleanor King ruled that a vasectomy could take place after hearing that another child could cause the man "psychological harm".

Experts said he was capable of sexual consent but did not have the capacity to make decisions about contraception.

They said the man, referred to as DE, could not be relied upon to use condoms or other birth control methods effectively to prevent pregnancy.

The Court of Protection in London has heard that DE does not want to become a father again.

The application to allow a vasectomy was made by the man's local NHS trust, with the support of his parents, GP and the local authority involved in his care. None of them must be identified, by court order.

The case came to court because of undisputed evidence that DE does not have the capacity to decide whether or not to consent to sterilisation, meaning a judge had to make the decision.

In her ruling, Justice King said a vasectomy was "undoubtedly" in the best interests of DE.

An application for the sterilisation of a man came to court in 1999 but was refused, making the ruling on DE the first time in England and Wales a court has sanctioned a man's sterilisation.

BBC News

[Itsme]

he may not know to use condoms etc but what about the woman who he would be sleeping with at the time - im sure she would know if she wants a child or not.

[QfanatiQ]

This is a frightening precedent to be set in law!

he may not know to use condoms etc but what about the woman who he would be sleeping with at the time - im sure she would know if she wants a child or not.

Very true! How is she considered in all this.

Q