Woman Receives Suspended Sentence After Guilty Plea in Paternity Fraud Case

Liverpool, UK – Beth Fernley, 26, of Warrington, has received a 13-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation at Liverpool Crown Court. The case, which involved the forging of paternity test results to deceive her former partner, Ryan Hampson, has drawn public attention, including a concise comment from prosecutor Gareth Roberts on social media.

The deception began in April 2019 when Fernley informed Mr. Hampson of her pregnancy and uncertainty regarding the child's father. Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, detailed how Fernley requested £300 from Mr. Hampson for a DNA test and subsequently sent him fabricated screenshots, purporting to be from EasyDNA, indicating a 99.9% probability that he was the father. These documents were later confirmed as forged.

Following the fraudulent test results, Mr. Hampson purchased baby items and resumed a relationship with Fernley, with whom he had previously been involved for four years. He was present at the child's birth, named on the birth certificate, and even bought a house with Fernley in 2020. The elaborate fraud continued when Fernley later forged another letter, falsely claiming the company had made an error and he was not the father.

Mr. Hampson discovered the truth when he contacted the DNA testing firm directly in July 2022, only to be informed they had no record of the tests. This led to Fernley's arrest. In his victim statement, Mr. Hampson, 27, expressed profound grief and heartbreak, stating, "My entire world fell apart." He described the emotional pain of being asked about a child he had formed a strong bond with, only to learn she was not his biological daughter.

During sentencing, Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary described the offense as "particularly dreadful," highlighting its profound impact on Mr. Hampson and his family. The judge noted Fernley's continued denial even after police involvement, terming it a "perpetuation of sinister dishonesty." Despite the severity, the court considered Fernley's demonstrated insight into the crime and her acceptance of wrongdoing, as presented by defending barrister Tom Worsfold. Fernley was also ordered to undertake 10 days of rehabilitation activity, complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay £300 in compensation.