Mother speaks of joy after giving birth to her own grandchild

UK: Anne-Marie Casson, 46, fell pregnant after a donor egg was fertilised with sperm from her supermarket worker son, Kyle Casson.

The baby she gave birth to via C-section - her grandson Miles - is now eight months old and has been adopted by Kyle, his biological father.

Mrs Casson said: “He is not biologically tied to me, other than he’s my grandson. I love being a parent and for Kyle to experience that, I would do that for him.”

Kyle is thought to be the first single man to have a child through surrogacy in the UK - and the first to do so using his own mother as a surrogate.

Due to UK surrogacy laws, as a single parent he had no rights over his child when it was born so he had to adopt his own baby to get full custody - which is also said to another first.

The pregnancy was arranged through a fertility clinic with the use of a donor egg. Mrs Casson stepped in with her husband’s consent to fulfil their son’s long-held wish to be a father.

Kyle had hoped to have an IVF child with another female relative but the plan collapsed due to medical advice.

He has looked after his child since birth in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

But the details of the birth only emerged this week when a High Court judge ruled that Kyle can adopt the baby boy and become the legal father - despite also being the infant’s brother in the eyes of the law.

The court decided that the “highly unusual” arrangement was lawful.

Kyle, who is in his mid-20s and lives alone, had taken advice from specialist lawyers beforehand.

Mrs Justice Theis said earlier this week: “The arrangement the parties entered into is not one, as far as I am aware, that either this court or the clinic has previously encountered and although highly unusual, is entirely lawful under the relevant statutory provisions.”

The judge said allowing Kyle to adopt would provide “legal security” and meet the little boy’s long-term welfare needs.

She added that another family member had initially offered to be the surrogate but had to withdraw for medical reasons. Mrs Casson then agreed to step in.

Mrs Justice Theis said: “The papers show that for some considerable time he has wanted to be a father.

“He waited until his circumstances were settled in terms of a job and home to enable him to provide the care a child would need.”

Kyle, from Skellow, Doncaster, told the Daily Mail he understands the case is controversial.

"I understand that not everyone will agree with it, but they can have their opinions," he said.

 

"I have a son and I am very happy.

"As long as people can provide a home, and they have the support, I don’t see why anyone should be denied the right to be a parent."

Speaking in 2012, Kyle said he had wanted a child for a few years and felt “mature and financially stable enough” to do so.

He wanted to be a father in his 20s rather than wait for a partner.

Kyle has said previously: “It’s never been done before but to me it’s worth the risk.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a few years but it’s only recently that I feel I’m mature and financially stable enough to have a child.

“I own my own house, I’ve got a good job and a great family and group of friends supporting me.”