Man with three ‘jackets’ supports MP’s DNA stance

At least one 'jacket wearer' is in full support of Member of Parliament (MP) Heroy Clarke's intention to table a motion for compulsory DNA tests to be administered at childbirth. John Brown*, a security guard, found out earlier this year that he was not the biological father of three of his four children.

"It is one of the best thing that an MP or government could consider because not only will it save a man from getting a jacket, but also save a child the damage that a child has to live with after learning that the man he or she call dad is not their real father," Brown said.

Clarke said that he is hoping that the proposed framework will put an end to the practice of women knowingly giving 'jackets' to men. In April, Brown told THE STAR that after paternity testing, he realised that his now ex-girlfriend of 18 years had been unfaithful multiple times. Brown said that she has even been taunting him.

"She told me that she would do it over again if she got the opportunity. She wants me to continue to take care of the children still and she told me that she found one of their fathers and he is back from overseas. She is going to let him take me to court for taking his child to do a DNA without his permission. She has not apologised and it really hurts," he said.

Brown said the relationship between him and the three children he thought were his is somewhat broken. He also said that at times he becomes depressed about the situation.

"Because of their mother's behaviour I stay far, but they [the children] will come by mi now and again. In a sense the love I have for them has changed because knowing that I am not their biological father anymore will do that. I am still damaged by this and when I look back on the sacrifices that I made and to know that I have been cheated of having a family, it really hurts. Mi a take care of those kids from dem inna belly," he said.

The 35-year-old added that he will be more cautious in the future.

"Right now even if I should get married and my wife get pregnant, a DNA would have to be done, even if mi and the baby have same toenails. Even if the baby is the dead stamp of mi, I am going to do a DNA because people use to tell mi that the other children look like mi," he said.