F v M & Ors

F v M & Ors

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that the father did not sexually assault or coerce the mother, nor act in a controlling manner. The mother was not a victim of coercive control. The court found that A was not sexually abused by a third-party while in the father's care, and the father was innocent of all related allegations. The court found that the mother emotionally manipulated the children, asked A leading questions to obtain evidence of sexual abuse, encouraged and influenced A to make false allegations, and suspended contact based on false allegations. The mother admitted to giving diazepam to B without prescription.

Parties
Applicant: F; First Respondent: M; Second Respondent: A; Third Respondent: B
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 January 2026
Procedural Posture
Private Law Family Proceedings / Fact Finding Judgment
Outcome
Findings made in favour of the father; findings against the mother on manipulation and false allegations; mother not found to be a victim of coercive control; father found innocent of all allegations.
Legal Topics
Child Contact, Domestic Abuse, Coercive Control, False Allegations, Fact Finding Hearings
Family Law Child Contact Domestic Abuse Coercive Control False Allegations Fact Finding Hearings

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

F

Applicant

M

First Respondent

A

Second Respondent

B

Third Respondent

Procedural Posture

Private Law Family Proceedings / Fact Finding Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the father sexually assaulted the mother or acted in a coercive and controlling manner
  2. 2 Whether the mother emotionally manipulated the children and encouraged false allegations
  3. 3 Whether A was sexually assaulted by a third-party while in the father's care

Ratio Decidendi

The court found, on the balance of probabilities, that the father did not sexually assault or coerce the mother, nor act in a controlling manner. The mother was not a victim of coercive control. The court found that A was not sexually abused by a third-party while in the father's care, and the father was innocent of all related allegations. The court found that the mother emotionally manipulated the children, asked A leading questions to obtain evidence of sexual abuse, encouraged and influenced A to make false allegations, and suspended contact based on false allegations. The mother admitted to giving diazepam to B without prescription.

Court Disposition

Findings made in favour of the father; findings against the mother on manipulation and false allegations; mother not found to be a victim of coercive control; father found innocent of all allegations.

Orders

  • Transcript of judgment to be prepared at public expense.
  • Father's counsel to prepare order and findings document.