A High Court judge has ruled that there is “some evidence” that at least one child was born in an exceptional family dispute between a separated couple.

The ex-husband told the court that he believed his wife had been pregnant when they split up and that she had given birth to twin boys, who would now be three years old.

He told the hearing he wanted to have contact with them.

The wife told the court this was not true, she had never even been pregnant, and the claims amounted to “coercive and controlling behaviour”.

No births had been registered, and there was no supporting evidence in medical records.

But the court heard and saw other evidence that a child or children do exist.

Lady Emma Arbuthnot described it as a “perplexing” case and acknowledged the family court lacked the tools to investigate thoroughly.