Specialist judge to rule on whether a man can keep having sex with his wife as her carers claim her learning difficulties mean she may no longer be able to consent
- Judge deciding whether to make an order barring man from having sex with wife
- Carers say she no longer has mental capacity to make decision about having sex
- If imposed, her husband of over 20 years could face prison if he breaches order
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Mr Justice Hayden has been asked to decide whether a man can keep having sex with his wife
A judge in a specialist court has been asked to decide whether a man can keep having sex with his wife of more than 20 years to ensure she is not raped.
The woman has learning difficulties, and carers say there is evidence that her mental health has reached a stage where she no longer has the capacity to consent.
At a preliminary hearing at the Court of Protection in London today, a judge said the man might be put in a situation where he could face prison if he breached an order, or an undertaking, not to make love to his wife.
They want a judge in the Court of Protection, where issues involving people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions, to consider the case.
Lawyers representing social services bosses have suggested that a judge might have to make an order barring the man from continuing to have sex with his wife in order to ensure that the woman is not raped.
Mr Justice Hayden has considered the issues at a preliminary Court of Protection hearing in London.
The judge was told that the man had offered to give an undertaking not to have sex with his wife.
Carers acting on behalf of the woman want a judge in the Court of Protection (pictured), where issues involving people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions, to consider the case
But the judge said he wanted to examine evidence in detail – and hear arguments from lawyers representing the woman, the man, and the council involved – before making any decisions.
He also suggested that such an order would be difficult to police.
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‘I cannot think of any more obviously fundamental human right than the right of a man to have sex with his wife – and the right of the State to monitor that,’ he said.
‘I think he is entitled to have it properly argued.’
A full hearing is expected to take place in the near future.
Mr Justice Hayden said the couple involved could not be identified in media reports of the case.
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