Parents' 'open relationship' sees children put up for adoption

Their father chose to see other women and their mother, who ‘frequented’ a website called Plenty Of Fish, had relationships with men she met through the internet, a family court judge was told.

Judge Elizabeth Williscroft, who is based in Wolverhampton, said the couple continued their ‘dysfunctional relationship’ while living in the same house.

Detail of the case has emerged in a written ruling by Judge Williscroft following a private family court hearing.

The judge said the children were all under five and could not be identified.

She said social services bosses at Sandwell Council had asked her to make decisions about the children’s future.

Social services staff had described the couple’s relationship as ‘open’.

The couple had disputed the description.

But the judge said the man had chosen to see other women and ‘complete strangers’ had visited the house to have sex with the woman.

“Father plainly chose to see other women,” said Judge Williscroft in her ruling.

"Mother has stated her relationships with men on the internet began as a result – whatever the cause they were seriously risky.”

The judge added: “It is plain some complete strangers have visited her house while the children were there – to have sex with her.”

She went on: “They both continued their dysfunctional relationship living in the same home – all of this must have been confusing for the children.”

Social workers said the couple had also found it hard to supervise their children and Judge Williscroft added: “Mother was observed parenting ‘from the sofa’ and relying on others to keep the children safe from hazards.”

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for children’s services Councillor Simon Hackett said: “The safety and welfare of children is our highest priority, however, we do not comment on individual cases.”