F4J crusader in rooftop protest at judge's home
Former Army sergeant Tim Line spent almost 36 hours over the weekend dressed as Batman, camped in the wind and rain on top of the home of one of the country's most senior judges.
Fencing contractor Mr Line, 45, a member of the Fathers 4 Justice group, accidentally disturbed a bee hive during the roof-top protest but escaped without being stung.
Unfurling a large banner concerning his lack of access to his three children, he staged the high-profile protest in the Wiltshire village of Seend, near Devizes, over the weekend.
The village is not only the home of leading family court judge Lord Justice Sir Mathew Thorpe, but is also where Mr Line's estranged wife Mette lives with their three daughters.
Mr Line climbed onto the roof of the detached property at about 5am on Friday and remained there until he descended with the aid of a fireman's body harness at 4.30pm on Saturday.
He was taken to Melksham police station and bailed to appear before magistrates next month after being charged with causing damage to a roof-tile and a hatch.
However, Mr Line, of Hilperton, near Trowbridge, said: "I was extremely careful not to cause any damage at all.
"I told police as soon as I got onto the roof that it would be a peaceful protest and that I wasn't going to cause any trouble. I just wanted to prove a point, which I think I did."
A former member of the Royal Artillery, Mr Line said he chose Friday to clamber on top of the judge's roof as it was exactly a year since he had any contact with his daughters, aged 15, 14 and 12.
A district judge ordered him to have no contact other than write to the girls after hearing evidence that they did not want to see him.
Mr Line said he had written many times but had not received any response and did not know if the girls had received his letters. He said he was disappointed to learn his estranged wife and the girls are currently in Denmark.
Sir Mathew, who presides over family court hearings, was not at home at the time of the protest.
7 Comments
by Kevin, Southhampton
Sunday, October 05 2008, 12:41AM
“In many cases the fathers are intitled to contact and don't always get the contact they want.
You don't know what he had done to his wife and children, the children seem old enough to make there own decision.If he had of been an abusive and a bad father /husband you would not be deffending this man. You can't brand this women as scum, we don't know the situation.There are always 2 sides to every story, I have had to fight for my children through the courts and it was expensive and time consuming, but then my kids wanted to see me!!!
The children are seen and spoken to by a CafCass officer, on there own, without the mother and father present, now tell me they are brain washed by the mother!!!
Good luck to all you genuine fathers, but don't be brain washed by a one sided story.”
by nigel ace, clevedon
Thursday, August 21 2008, 8:12PM
“This is a message to the Government & judiciary.
WE WANT:
1. TO HAVE AN AUTOMATIC PRESUMPTION OF 50/50 CONTACT WHEN PARENTS SPLIT
2.OPEN COURTS, to be brought in line with the crown and magistrates courts.
3.COMPULSORY MEDIATION BEFORE THE COURT PROCESS,not after
4.ENFORCE COURT ORDERS. A 3 strikes and your're out policy would be a great detterent against uncooperative mothers. On the 3 rd strike , residence would be swopped to the father or whoever has deliberately broken the court order.”
by Phil Doherty, Newcastle
Friday, August 15 2008, 12:06PM
“Well done Tim!
When will the politicians start listening to F4J? They are telling the truth about the court system but the politicians just will not listen because they made the system the disaster it is today.
Listen to what people are telling you and do your job...”
by Tessa Boo, London W11 1NR
Tuesday, August 12 2008, 10:38AM
“John Kimble. Many children, who do want to see the people who they are bonded and who matter to them but who are being 'blocked' from doing so by a vindictive parent, can and are being subjected to far worse 'punishments' than being grounded in their room. Some will be having terrible abuses being inflicted on them in order to stop them expressing their wishes.
It is true to say that 'abuses' inflicted on children, to stop them seeing the people who matter to them, are in many cases being sanctioned and supported by a 'child contact' legal process which is just not working well or in the best interest of many children!”
by John Kimble, Southampton
Monday, August 11 2008, 9:29PM
“Of course children are going to SAY they don't want to see their fathers. In most of these cases the years of brainwashing from their mother about what a terrible man he is has some impact.
On top of that if they've got any sense they''ll say whatever she wants them to say. It's either that or they get sent to their room for a few weeks.
Tim is a true hero - I read that he's in hospital right now suffering from breathing difficulties so get well soon!”
by Pete, Feminazi Hereford
Monday, August 11 2008, 6:51PM
“What will it take for Mp's to acknowledge that these F4J stunts arn't going to go away, why won't our GOVERMENT listen to parents.
The state expects fathers to pay child support, but we still can't see our kids.
Well done Tim Line i hope you see your kids soon!!
Keep the good work up, i was a member of F4J, i know see my daughter.”
by Tessa Boo, London W11 1NR
Monday, August 11 2008, 10:41AM
“It is time that the powers that be listen to what Fathers4Justice have to say. It is not just fathers who seek contact and access to the children who they are bonded with.
It is the children who are being made to pay for a child access legal process which is not working well or in the best interest of many children.
The system at this moment enables any 'blocking' vindictive parent is to use his or her power to destroy children's attachments to all who matter to them.
So many children are being damaged by being isolated from those they love. In extreme cases these now isolated children can and are being rendered into 'care' to be 'looked after' by strangers.
The judge, in this case, should climb up to his roof and listen to what this father has to say!”