A love rat father who sent a lookalike to a DNA test in an attempt to avoid paying maintenance for a child he knew was his now claims 'there are two sides to every story'.
Thomas Kenny, 25, already had two children from a previous relationship when he shamelessly embarked upon an illicit affair with another woman, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
And when the woman he had been sleeping with behind the mother of his children's back became pregnant, he put pressure on her her to have an abortion - but she refused.
Thomas, described by the judge as 'highly manipulative', then denied he was the father of the child, putting the mother through an immense amount of stress.
But he clearly knew he was the father because when the Child Support Agency ordered he take a DNA paternity test, he sent someone else in his place to avoid paying child maintenance.
Now, after being sentenced for fraud, he has defended his shameless actions and claimed there's more to the tale - but he wouldn't say any more.
Mr Kenny said: 'I pleaded guilty to it and that was that. It was a private matter but there are two sides to every story.
'I was relieved when I came out of court that it was all over.'
At the sentencing, Judge Philip Barker QC gave a scathing account of his actions.
He said: 'I know you are said to be the loving father of two children by your longstanding relationship, but this case shows you were prepared to disown a child for your own for financial gain. Morally, you cannot sink lower than that.'
The judge explained how Kenny had started to deny he was the father after his mistress refused to have an abortion in December 2012.
In June 2013, the Child Support Agency demanded that Kenny, Shirley, Solihull, take a DNA test but he sent someone else in his place.
The fraud came to light after Kenny was arrested in June last year - at which point he still maintained the child was not his.
He was eventually uncovered as the father after DNA tests on his other children revealed his web of lies.
Kenny had previously admitted conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to six months suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £885 compensation and £500 costs.
The judge continued: 'The effect of what you did was to seek to avoid payments to the child that was genuinely yours.
'You are plainly the author of your own misfortunes.
'I have read references from people who suggest that you are normally a well-behaved individual, but the facts show you can be thoroughly dishonest and highly manipulative.'
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