Illegal fertility company earned founders €300,000

TWO businessmen earned £250,000 (€300,000) through an illegal fertility company providing women with access to sperm donors, a court heard.

In the first case of its kind, a jury was told Nigel Woodforth, 43, ran the firm from the basement of his home in Reading, Berkshire, with 49-year-old Ricky Gage.

Nearly 800 women signed up to use the online service, operating under various names including Sperm Direct Limited.

Their website introduced would-be donors to women trying to conceive, Southwark Crown Court heard.

The women, having paid an £80 (€96) joining fee and £300 (€360) to use the service, would then choose from a list of men before the sperm was delivered to their homes at the price of £150 per delivery.

Under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, a licence is needed by anyone wanted to “procure, test or distribute” any sperm or eggs. The two defendants are the first to be prosecuted under the Act.

They face two charges of procuring gametes intended for human application, both of which they deny.

The trial continues.