Westcountry fathers' rights campaigner Jolly Stanesby has promised to use "the element of surprise" in future protests after nine people were arrested at the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in London on Saturday.
The arrests were made after a newspaper report that the group planned to mount a "spectacular event", but a Fathers 4 Justice spokesman said the Buckingham Palace incident was not the event talked about.
Mr Stanesby, who was one of those arrested, said that Buckingham Palace was "not an ideal venue for a protest".
The Metropolitan Police said that the arrests were made to prevent a breach of the peace as part of a large proactive policing operation.
Nine activists were arrested before they could scale barriers and handcuff themselves to the Queen's carriage.
The seven men and two women were later released without charge.
Fathers 4 Justice said that the arrests, just minutes before the Queen left Buckingham Palace for the Trooping of the Colour ceremony at the Horse Guards Parade, did not affect its plans for a resumption of direct action.
It follows a demonstration at last year's event where a protester got within 20 feet of the carriage.
The controversial pressure group said that it had warned last week of a resumption of activities but that this was not the "spectacular" mentioned in last week's Independent on Sunday newspaper.
Mr Stanesby, from Ivybridge, South Devon, said: "We hadn't considered the Trooping of the Colour until Scotland Yard asked us if we'd be
present.
"It sounded like an invitation and an opportunity to try out a few ideas.
"It's not an ideal venue for a protest, as it's a full 'belt and braces' job for them - we'd much rather catch them with the element of surprise, which has always been our trademark."
Thursday, 21 June 2007
Monday, 9 April 2007
CLIMBING CHARGE DENIED
Devon Fathers 4 Justice campaigners Richard West, 40, from Ottery St Mary, and Jolly Stanesby, 36, from Ivybridge, are to face trial for allegedly climbing on Stonehenge wearing Fred Flintstone outfits.
They and a third man, Dave White, 29, from Southampton, all denied climbing on an ancient monument when they appeared before Salisbury magistrates.
They were summoned to return to the court for a pre-trial review on June 8.
They and a third man, Dave White, 29, from Southampton, all denied climbing on an ancient monument when they appeared before Salisbury magistrates.
They were summoned to return to the court for a pre-trial review on June 8.
Thursday, 1 March 2007
Sunday, 25 February 2007
JOLLY ON THE ROCKS IN LATEST PROTEST
Ivybridge fathers' rights campaigner Jolly Stanesby has protested on the rocks of Stonehenge dressed as Fred Flintstone.The 41-year-old and two colleagues, also dressed as the cartoon character, from the Fathers 4 Justice group climbed on to the ancient monument in Wiltshire at about 9am with supplies to last three days.
They said they were demonstrating against comments about absent fathers made by Tory leader David Cameron.Matt O'Connor, founder of the group, said the protest was in response to Mr Cameron's 'failure to get to grips with the issue of absent fathers in Britain.'Mr Cameron said yesterday that attitudes to gun-carrying and absentee fathers had to be altered in the same way attitudes to drink-driving had changed.
Mr O'Connor said: "Mr Cameron says fathers are abandoning their children and this can lead to children getting involved with crime. We at Fathers 4 Justice feel very strongly that this is not always the case.
Mr Stanesby has only just been told he will not be prosecuted for a rooftop protest dressed as Father Christmas at a judge's house near Exeter in November.But he is also accused of chaining himself to former children's minister Margaret Hodge. Mrs Hodge was stuck in the cuffs for about 40 minutes outside the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, where she was attending a conference on November 19, 2004.
Stanesby denies false imprisonment and faces trial in May.
They said they were demonstrating against comments about absent fathers made by Tory leader David Cameron.Matt O'Connor, founder of the group, said the protest was in response to Mr Cameron's 'failure to get to grips with the issue of absent fathers in Britain.'Mr Cameron said yesterday that attitudes to gun-carrying and absentee fathers had to be altered in the same way attitudes to drink-driving had changed.
Mr O'Connor said: "Mr Cameron says fathers are abandoning their children and this can lead to children getting involved with crime. We at Fathers 4 Justice feel very strongly that this is not always the case.
Mr Stanesby has only just been told he will not be prosecuted for a rooftop protest dressed as Father Christmas at a judge's house near Exeter in November.But he is also accused of chaining himself to former children's minister Margaret Hodge. Mrs Hodge was stuck in the cuffs for about 40 minutes outside the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, where she was attending a conference on November 19, 2004.
Stanesby denies false imprisonment and faces trial in May.
Thursday, 22 February 2007
Fathers 4 Justice Rock Stonehenge
Three Fred Flintstone campaigners from Fathers 4 Justice scaled Stonehenge at 9.15am this morning in anger at David Cameron's comments about absent fathers this morning.
Jolly Stanesby, 36, from Ivybridge Devon, Dave White, 29 from Southampton and Richard West, 40, from Ottery St Mary, Devon are all wearing Fred Flintstone outfits in a symbolic protest at what they say is Caveman Cameron's naive and prejudiced beliefs about fathers when 300,000 dads have lost contact with their kids in the family courts since 1997. Cameron had said fathers are abandoning their children.
The protestors evaded tight security and prevented English Heritage officers forcibly removing them from the stones with a ladder. Said F4J Founder Matt OConnor, We need an urgent, intellectual debate about fatherlessness, not meandering Neanderthal comments from dinosaur Dave. Stonehenge is symbolic because it formed the foundation of our society, foundations being eroded by all the main political parties.
Family Law is literally killing kids stone dead. Family breakdown is rife and last weeks Unicef report put Britain bottom out of 21 countries as being the worst place in the first world to grow up. We want to consign the secret family courts to history and by putting the world's most famous stone age man on top of the world¹s most famous stones, we aim to show our commitment to our nations children.
Jolly Stanesby, 36, from Ivybridge Devon, Dave White, 29 from Southampton and Richard West, 40, from Ottery St Mary, Devon are all wearing Fred Flintstone outfits in a symbolic protest at what they say is Caveman Cameron's naive and prejudiced beliefs about fathers when 300,000 dads have lost contact with their kids in the family courts since 1997. Cameron had said fathers are abandoning their children.
The protestors evaded tight security and prevented English Heritage officers forcibly removing them from the stones with a ladder. Said F4J Founder Matt OConnor, We need an urgent, intellectual debate about fatherlessness, not meandering Neanderthal comments from dinosaur Dave. Stonehenge is symbolic because it formed the foundation of our society, foundations being eroded by all the main political parties.
Family Law is literally killing kids stone dead. Family breakdown is rife and last weeks Unicef report put Britain bottom out of 21 countries as being the worst place in the first world to grow up. We want to consign the secret family courts to history and by putting the world's most famous stone age man on top of the world¹s most famous stones, we aim to show our commitment to our nations children.
Monday, 5 February 2007
PROTESTER WON'T BE CHARGED FOR CLIMBING ON JUDGE'S ROOF
No charges are to be brought against a Fathers 4 Justice campaigner who staged a protest on the roof of a Devon judge's house, sparking a massive police operation costing many thousands of pounds.Police have also revealed that no action will be taken against the judge after claims that he pointed a loaded shotgun at Jolly Stanesby as he perched on his roof.
Around 80 police officers were deployed when the two-day protest began in November, but police have declined to put a figure on the cost of the operation.Mr Stanesby, 37, a registered childminder from Ivybridge, was arrested after spending two days dressed as Father Christmas on the roof of Judge David Tyzack's Glebe Lodge home.
At 6.30am on November 28, he roped himself to a chimney and set up a rooftop camp.Police cordoned off the area, monitored him round the clock for two days and tried to persuade him to come down.Judge Tyzack QC, who sits at Exeter and Plymouth County Courts on family cases, was targeted for the protest because his rulings on access to children had incensed Fathers 4 Justice supporters.
A statement made on behalf of Judge Tyzack at the time said he took the shotgun out because he thought there was a trapped or wounded bird on the roof.Decisions to take no further action in both cases were taken by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Despite not facing charges himself in relation to the incident, Mr Stanesby told the Echo yesterday: "I am not very happy about no action being taken against the judge."The judge just wants to keep it quiet and drop my charges as well."My intention for the protest was to get heard."He said he wanted fathers to be treated equally in matters of family law and he would not be giving up.
Mr Stanesby claimed to have received overwhelming support for the protest."It works and it is our only way to get our voices heard," he said.Fathers 4 Justice says that it will be challenging the decision not to charge Judge Tyzack and may pursue a civil case.
The group remains indignant that the Government refuses to hold any discussions with it.In a letter from Harriet Harman to Mark Oaten, MP of Fathers 4 Justice founder Matt O'Connor, she ruled out the prospect of any meeting.Mr O'Connor said: "At least we can say we tried.
I look on the letter as a formal invitation to us to resume our activities."When we are ready we'll give our response in the time-honoured tradition. I don't expect they'll have to wait too long."A Fathers' Day demo is planned by the group in London on June 15.
Thursday, 21 December 2006
Court rejects ASBO on fathers' rights veteran
Magistrates have refused to grant an Asbo against a serial fathers' rights protestor.
Police wanted the order made against 37-year- old Jolly Stanesby, from Ivybridge, South Devon, a Fathers 4 Justice veteran who has scaled Tamar Bridge dressed as Superman and handcuffed himself to a Government minister to draw attention to his cause. All his protests were against an alleged bias against fathers in family courts.
Police wanted the order made against 37-year- old Jolly Stanesby, from Ivybridge, South Devon, a Fathers 4 Justice veteran who has scaled Tamar Bridge dressed as Superman and handcuffed himself to a Government minister to draw attention to his cause. All his protests were against an alleged bias against fathers in family courts.
The anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) application was made specifically to ban Mr Stanesby from going near Judge David Tyzack's home or within ten metres of Exeter Cathedral, two locations where he has staged recent protests.
It was thrown out at Honiton Magistrates Court yesterday, following a day-long hearing.
Police sought the order after Mr Stanesby climbed on to the roof of Judge Tyzack's home in East Devon in November. The court heard that Mr Stanesby believed the judge had unfairly denied him access to his daughter.
Mr Stanesby stayed on the roof for two nights. After he voluntarily came down, he was arrested under suspicion of "trespass and failure to leave land". He was released on police bail without charge until February 5, 2007.
He was also discovered by police, dressed as Father Christmas, near Exeter Cathedral on December 11. Officers believed he was about to scale the building, but he was not arrested.
Marie Macfarlane, senior legal adviser for Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, asked the court to impose the Asbo with immediate effect. She argued that Mr Stanesby was likely to cause alarm or distress to Judge Tyzack and his wife, and to people near the cathedral. She referred to Mr Stanesby's previous protests, which included handcuffing himself to children's minister Margaret Hodge, in November 2004.
Simon Cooper, defending, said the order was not necessary or proportional. He said his client had never been abusive to the judge and although his actions clearly caused distress, they did not warrant an "urgent" Asbo. He said the right to protest peacefully was a cherished British tradition. And he argued that an injunction would have an appropriate way of dealing with any perceived threat.
Magistrate David Jarrett said: "There is no evidence he is likely to commit acts before the next hearing. We do not feel an order would be justified or proportionate. Asbos should be treated with caution; they are not cure-alls and should not be lightly imposed."
Tuesday, 12 December 2006
FATHERS DRESS AS SANTAS FOR PROTEST
Campaigners dressed as Santa Claus to stage a festive protest during an Exeter Cathedral carol concert.Eight members of the campaign group Fathers 4 Justice stood outside the landmark building during the Lord Mayor's carol service yesterday.
During the protest, they held placards saying "Put the father back into Christmas".They said the Church of England had failed to speak up about the problem of family breakdown.
Fathers 4 Justice member Jolly Stanesby, 39, who recently climbed onto the roof of a judge's house, attempted to scale the cathedral wall before police grabbed him.But none of the campaigners disrupted the service, which was attended by hundreds of people.
Richard Adams, Fathers 4 Justice co-ordinator for the South West, said: "It went really well and people were very supportive of our cause."A spokesman at the Bishop's office said: "Bishop Michael Langrish has a deep concern, care and passion for the wholeness of family life."
Wednesday, 6 December 2006
Shotgun Judge: Dad's Demand Action
Press Release
6th December 2006, 1.30pm
Shotgun Judge: Dad's Demand Action
Campaign group Fathers 4 Justice are demanding to know what if any action Devon and Cornwall Police are taking against West Country Judge David Tyzack after he threatened to shoot an F4J protestor dressed as Father Christmas on his roof last Tuesday 28th November.
F4J Founder Matt OConnor said that Jolly Stanesby Œfeared for his life when Judge Tyzack aimed the weapon at him as he climbed the roof of the Judge¹s house at around 7.30am.
Stanesby has given a formal statement to Police (Crime Reference No KE/06/3812) but believes the matter might be swept under the carpet. Said Stanesby today, A judge is supposed to uphold the law, not break it, or for that matter aim loaded weapons at people. There are glaring inconsistencies in the public statements issued by the Judge, his wife and the Judicial Communications Office that support my case.
Even if the Police accepted at face value the statement that the Judge may have exited the property with the intent to dispatch an Œinjured bird, once it became clear it was a 6ft tall protestor in a bright red Father Christmas outfit, why was it necessary for the judge to load one chamber, cock and aim the gun it at me? I was scared witless.
Why did Mr Tyzack¹s wife describe him as brave if all he was doing was dealing with a small, injured bird? What sort of bird did Mr Tyzack think he was dispatching?
Said Matt O¹Connor, We need the Police to communicate whether the Judge has been interviewed about this offence and whether charges are going to be brought. Nobody should be above the law especially those that enforce it.
We expect to be dealt with firmly by the authorities when we protest and accept the consequences of our actions. Getting shot isnt one of them.
EDITORS NOTES:
*Under Section 16 of the Firearms Act 1968, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or injure property is an indictable offence that carries a maximum life sentence.
*Under Section 16a of the Firearms Act 1968, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence is an indictable offence that carries a maximum tariff of 10 years.
*Fathers 4 Justice launched it¹s new web site this week at www.fathers-4-justice.org
ENDS
6th December 2006, 1.30pm
Shotgun Judge: Dad's Demand Action
Campaign group Fathers 4 Justice are demanding to know what if any action Devon and Cornwall Police are taking against West Country Judge David Tyzack after he threatened to shoot an F4J protestor dressed as Father Christmas on his roof last Tuesday 28th November.
F4J Founder Matt OConnor said that Jolly Stanesby Œfeared for his life when Judge Tyzack aimed the weapon at him as he climbed the roof of the Judge¹s house at around 7.30am.
Stanesby has given a formal statement to Police (Crime Reference No KE/06/3812) but believes the matter might be swept under the carpet. Said Stanesby today, A judge is supposed to uphold the law, not break it, or for that matter aim loaded weapons at people. There are glaring inconsistencies in the public statements issued by the Judge, his wife and the Judicial Communications Office that support my case.
Even if the Police accepted at face value the statement that the Judge may have exited the property with the intent to dispatch an Œinjured bird, once it became clear it was a 6ft tall protestor in a bright red Father Christmas outfit, why was it necessary for the judge to load one chamber, cock and aim the gun it at me? I was scared witless.
Why did Mr Tyzack¹s wife describe him as brave if all he was doing was dealing with a small, injured bird? What sort of bird did Mr Tyzack think he was dispatching?
Said Matt O¹Connor, We need the Police to communicate whether the Judge has been interviewed about this offence and whether charges are going to be brought. Nobody should be above the law especially those that enforce it.
We expect to be dealt with firmly by the authorities when we protest and accept the consequences of our actions. Getting shot isnt one of them.
EDITORS NOTES:
*Under Section 16 of the Firearms Act 1968, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or injure property is an indictable offence that carries a maximum life sentence.
*Under Section 16a of the Firearms Act 1968, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence is an indictable offence that carries a maximum tariff of 10 years.
*Fathers 4 Justice launched it¹s new web site this week at www.fathers-4-justice.org
ENDS
Saturday, 2 December 2006
West Country Judge Faces Arrest After Aiming Gun At Santa
Press Release
30th November 2006
A West Country Judge may face arrest after threatening to shoot a Fathers 4 Justice protestor dressed as Father Christmas, who scaled the roof of his home on Tuesday morning.
Fathers 4 Justice say that the protestor, Jolly Stanesby, 35, from Ivybridge, Devon will descend from the roof at approximately 3.30pm today once press and supporters are allowed up to the property by Police.
A spokesperson for the group said that Stanesby Œfeared for his life¹ when Judge Tyzack aimed the weapon at Stanesby when he was on the roof. Stanesby will press charges and his legal team will press for the arrest and questioning of the Judge on the following grounds:
*Under Section 16 of the Firearms Act 1968, that possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or injure property is an indictable offence that carries a maximum life sentence.
*Under Section 16a of the Firearms Act 1968, that possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence is an indictable offence that carries a maximum tariff of 10 years.
Stanesby will also question whether the Judge has a current licence for the weapon and whether that licence should be revoked.
The spokesman said, ³That there are glaring inconsistencies in the public statements issued by the Judge, his wife and the Judicial Communications Office.
Even if the Police accepted at face value the statement that the Judge may exited the property with the intent to dispatch a injured bird, once it became clear it was Mr Stanesby who is 6ft tall and dressed in a bright red Father Christmas outfit, why was it necessary for the judge to load one chamber, cock and aim the gun it at him causing him to be in fear of his life.
Why did Mr Tyzack¹s wife describe him as brave if all he was doing was dealing with a small, injured bird? What sort of bird did Mr Tyzack think he as dispatching?²
ENDS
30th November 2006
A West Country Judge may face arrest after threatening to shoot a Fathers 4 Justice protestor dressed as Father Christmas, who scaled the roof of his home on Tuesday morning.
Fathers 4 Justice say that the protestor, Jolly Stanesby, 35, from Ivybridge, Devon will descend from the roof at approximately 3.30pm today once press and supporters are allowed up to the property by Police.
A spokesperson for the group said that Stanesby Œfeared for his life¹ when Judge Tyzack aimed the weapon at Stanesby when he was on the roof. Stanesby will press charges and his legal team will press for the arrest and questioning of the Judge on the following grounds:
*Under Section 16 of the Firearms Act 1968, that possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or injure property is an indictable offence that carries a maximum life sentence.
*Under Section 16a of the Firearms Act 1968, that possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence is an indictable offence that carries a maximum tariff of 10 years.
Stanesby will also question whether the Judge has a current licence for the weapon and whether that licence should be revoked.
The spokesman said, ³That there are glaring inconsistencies in the public statements issued by the Judge, his wife and the Judicial Communications Office.
Even if the Police accepted at face value the statement that the Judge may exited the property with the intent to dispatch a injured bird, once it became clear it was Mr Stanesby who is 6ft tall and dressed in a bright red Father Christmas outfit, why was it necessary for the judge to load one chamber, cock and aim the gun it at him causing him to be in fear of his life.
Why did Mr Tyzack¹s wife describe him as brave if all he was doing was dealing with a small, injured bird? What sort of bird did Mr Tyzack think he as dispatching?²
ENDS
Tuesday, 28 November 2006
A seasoned Fathers 4 Justice campaigner has pledged to stay on the roof of a judge's house
A seasoned Fathers 4 Justice campaigner has pledged to stay on the roof of a judge's house near Exeter for weeks after setting up camp dressed as Santa Claus.But last night Jolly Stanesby, a veteran of high profile protests, was bracing himself for an attempt by police to remove him.
He had roped himself to a chimney on Judge David Tyzack's Glebe Lodge home in Farringdon at 6.30am yesterday.
Last night he had set up a tent on the roof, was eating food he had taken with him and was listening to a radio. It was not known whether Judge Tyzack had returned.
As first revealed on the Echo's website www.thisis exeter.co.uk, the campaigner climbed on to the roof in protest at court rulings about contact he can have with his child.
Mr Stanesby claims he has a sleeping bag, wet weather gear and enough food to allow him to stay for several days.
Beyond that he wants supporters to keep supplies topped up so he can maintain his protest for weeks, but it is not yet clear whether police will allow that to happen.
Officers, who have cordoned off the area, spent yesterday trying to persuade Mr Stanesby to come down.
He used a ladder to reach Judge Tyzack's roof where he unfurled a banner that read 'Put the Father back into Xmas'.
Judge Tyzack QC has incensed Fathers 4 Justice supporters with rulings about access to children.
Mr Stanesby, 37, a registered child minder from Ivybridge, is unhappy at the amount of contact time courts have granted him.
Speaking to the Echo from the roof, Mr Stanesby said: "I want to have a share in my daughter's life and there's no reason why I shouldn't.Judge Tyzack has got a bad reputation for not giving fathers good contact time with their children. He and other judges cannot carry on like this. Judge Tyzack came out and I told him why I was here."
The judge, who sits at Exeter and Plymouth County Courts on family cases, phoned police after discovering Mr Stanesby on his roof.
Thinking the noise on his roof was a rogue or injured bird, he had initially emerged with a shotgun. Police closed roads around Farringdon to prevent other protesters joining him.
Fathers 4 Justice supporters near the scene said more high-profile stunts were planned to seek changes to the 1989 Children Act and enable fathers to have joint custody of their children.
Meanwhile, around a dozen Fathers 4 Justice protesters were dispersed by police outside Exeter Crown Court.
They warned of further protests at the homes of the former President of the Family Division, Dame Elizabeth Butler Sloss, at Marsh Green,near Exeter, and Mrs Justice Bracewell at Somerton, Somerset.
A 40-year-old man from Ottery St Mary was arrested near Farringdon for wilful obstruction of the highway
He had roped himself to a chimney on Judge David Tyzack's Glebe Lodge home in Farringdon at 6.30am yesterday.
Last night he had set up a tent on the roof, was eating food he had taken with him and was listening to a radio. It was not known whether Judge Tyzack had returned.
As first revealed on the Echo's website www.thisis exeter.co.uk, the campaigner climbed on to the roof in protest at court rulings about contact he can have with his child.
Mr Stanesby claims he has a sleeping bag, wet weather gear and enough food to allow him to stay for several days.
Beyond that he wants supporters to keep supplies topped up so he can maintain his protest for weeks, but it is not yet clear whether police will allow that to happen.
Officers, who have cordoned off the area, spent yesterday trying to persuade Mr Stanesby to come down.
He used a ladder to reach Judge Tyzack's roof where he unfurled a banner that read 'Put the Father back into Xmas'.
Judge Tyzack QC has incensed Fathers 4 Justice supporters with rulings about access to children.
Mr Stanesby, 37, a registered child minder from Ivybridge, is unhappy at the amount of contact time courts have granted him.
Speaking to the Echo from the roof, Mr Stanesby said: "I want to have a share in my daughter's life and there's no reason why I shouldn't.Judge Tyzack has got a bad reputation for not giving fathers good contact time with their children. He and other judges cannot carry on like this. Judge Tyzack came out and I told him why I was here."
The judge, who sits at Exeter and Plymouth County Courts on family cases, phoned police after discovering Mr Stanesby on his roof.
Thinking the noise on his roof was a rogue or injured bird, he had initially emerged with a shotgun. Police closed roads around Farringdon to prevent other protesters joining him.
Fathers 4 Justice supporters near the scene said more high-profile stunts were planned to seek changes to the 1989 Children Act and enable fathers to have joint custody of their children.
Meanwhile, around a dozen Fathers 4 Justice protesters were dispersed by police outside Exeter Crown Court.
They warned of further protests at the homes of the former President of the Family Division, Dame Elizabeth Butler Sloss, at Marsh Green,near Exeter, and Mrs Justice Bracewell at Somerton, Somerset.
A 40-year-old man from Ottery St Mary was arrested near Farringdon for wilful obstruction of the highway
Tuesday, 21 November 2006
Jolly's own story -
The ten minute wonder Mr D tyzack
Voted as one of the worst judges, Judge David Tyzack, has yet again made a name for himself by giving my 8 year old daughter R, no more than 10 minutes on the phone to me, once a week, between 5.30 and 7pm wednesday, any more time was considered being disruptive.(along with her alternate wkends.)
This after five years of wasted, unnessesary,and constant court battles.
Judge Tyzack likes me so much he refuses to leave my case.
He was more interested in the clothes I was wearing, than the welfare of my little girl.
It would be more suitable if he was cleaning the cafcass toilets, than deciding what is best for children.
Voted as one of the worst judges, Judge David Tyzack, has yet again made a name for himself by giving my 8 year old daughter R, no more than 10 minutes on the phone to me, once a week, between 5.30 and 7pm wednesday, any more time was considered being disruptive.(along with her alternate wkends.)
This after five years of wasted, unnessesary,and constant court battles.
Judge Tyzack likes me so much he refuses to leave my case.
He was more interested in the clothes I was wearing, than the welfare of my little girl.
It would be more suitable if he was cleaning the cafcass toilets, than deciding what is best for children.
Wednesday, 1 November 2006
Hodge handcuffing
Margaret Hodge was in the dock today facing trial for the false imprisonment of Margaret Hodge former Child Minister.No you didn't read that wrong.
Fathers 4 Justice Campaigner Jolly Stanesby, notorious activist and famous for his part as superhero sidekick Robin on the Royal Courts of Justice, was due to face trial today at Salford Magistrates Court in Manchester for the false imprisonment of Margaret Hodge who was handcuffed by parenting rights campaigners whilst attending a conference in November 2004
Prior to the hearing Jolly had had his name changed by deed poll to Margaret Hodge.The judge presiding was not too happy at the site of the campaigner from South West England, who was wearing a T-Shirt stating "FCUK The Family Courts". He was even less amused when he asked the protesting father his name and he replied "Margaret Hodge".Mr Hodge pleaded not guilty to CPS false imprisonment charge, which is two years in the making and the trial has been adjourned until 5th February 2007.
On the 15th November fellow activist and campaigner Jason Hatch, made famous for his Buckingham Palace Batman stunt, faces the same charges in connection with the same incident.
Sunday, 18 June 2006
Fathers campaigner tries to stop Queens carriage
A fathers' rights campaigner has admitted he was "lucky" to escape with only a fine after trying to disrupt the Queen's birthday celebrations. Jolly Stanesby was one of two Fathers 4 Justice activists arrested on Saturday after trying to halt the Queen'scarriage as it made its way down The Mall.
The protesters, arrested at around 12.30pm, were taken to a central London police station and charged with public disorder offences.Speaking yesterday, Mr Stanesby, 39, said he received an £80 fixed penalty fine for his actions, done to coincide with Father's Day.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed two men had been arrested following the incident. However, he said: "They did not get anywhere near the Queen."
Dressed only in Union Jack boxer shorts, Mr Stanesby, of Ivybridge, Devon, and fellow campaigner Tony Ashby from Leicester got over safety barriers lining the route as the Royal procession made its way from Buckingham Palace to see the Trooping the Colour Parade.
The protesters, arrested at around 12.30pm, were taken to a central London police station and charged with public disorder offences.Speaking yesterday, Mr Stanesby, 39, said he received an £80 fixed penalty fine for his actions, done to coincide with Father's Day.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed two men had been arrested following the incident. However, he said: "They did not get anywhere near the Queen."Saturday, 20 May 2006
Lottery show delayed by protest
The BBC's National Lottery show was briefly delayed on Saturday evening after protesters invaded the studio and chanted slogans.
Presenter Eamonn Holmes was led from the stage as Fathers 4 Justice members made their way on to the set.
The National Lottery: Jet Set was delayed for several minutes before the draw for the £17m jackpot was resumed.
Campaign group Fathers 4 Justice said the evening marked the "dramatic return" of the protest group.
The group appeared to have disbanded in January after some of its members were accused of allegedly plotting to kidnap Prime Minister Tony Blair's youngest son, Leo.
You've a lot of very shaken, disturbed people, both watching at home and in the studio
Eamonn Holmes
Guy Harrison, a spokesman for the paternal rights group, said it was the group's duty to warn parents about family law.
Mr Harrison added: "The lottery is a metaphor for what can happen to any parent, mother or father, and their children, at the hands of the secret family courts."
Afterwards presenter Holmes said it had been a "scary moment".
Alan Dedicoat, the so-called voice of the National Lottery balls, told the BBC: "We just had a kerfuffle. What appeared to be fireworks or something going off in the studio.
"The cameras moved to one side. Eamonn was pushed to one side at one stage I think."
He added: "And the next minute we had to put a caption up and I was left talking to millions and millions of viewers trying to explain what was going on without necessarily being able to see all of it myself."
Later, Holmes said the protesters had been "well-orchestrated".
He said: "About six protesters ran out of the audience, very well positioned, very well orchestrated, they knew exactly the positions to be in and they tried to, well, I think, destroy the lottery machines.
"Fathers 4 Justice was the campaign and, you know, I think for the audience a very scary moment, whatever empathy or sympathy many people may have with Fathers 4 Justice, again, you've a lot of very shaken, disturbed people, both watching at home and in the studio."
Jolly Stanesby, right, a member of protest group Fathers 4 Justice (F4J), said a move to open up family courts to the Press would make them more 'accountable'.
Mr Stanesby, one of six campaigners who stormed the set of the televised National Lottery draw in May, said F4J protests had persuaded the Government to propose the change.
But he warned F4J would be planning more high-profile protests until members of the public were allowed to sit in on court proceedings.
Mr Stanesby said: "It's a great start and it's obvious that some of our hard work is paying off. The system is corrupt, but this should make the courts a little more accountable.
"The campaign will continue, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. None of this would have happened had we not been doing what we've been doing."
About 400,000 cases are heard in family courts every year, but currently almost all take place in private to protect those involved.
Mr Stanesby added that F4J was planning a nationwide campaign of civil disobedience, to be called 'I-Witness', to further its cause.
He said: "We are having a meeting next week to move things on.
"What we're thinking of doing is sitting in courts and waiting for them to throw us out."
Friday, 1 July 2005
Tuesday, 21 December 2004
Second severn crossing protest
The Severn Bridge was shut for several hours during the protestFour fathers' rights campaigners who closed the M4 after scaling a gantry on the Severn Bridge have each been given a conditional discharge by a court.
The three men and one woman, members of the Fathers 4 Justice group, were dressed as Santa Claus for the protest.
The M4 was closed both ways during the five-hour protest on 28 November, 2004.
Elaine Risk, and Michael Downes, from Manchester, Jolly Stanesby, of Devon, and Darryl Westell, of Nottingham, admitted causing a public nuisance.
No evidence was offered at Newport Crown Court on a further charge of causing a danger to other road users by interfering with traffic equipment.
I can't encourage protest, but the reality is that there is a long standing history of respectful and peaceful protest in this country
Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC
The court heard that the M4 between England and Wales was closed for several hours while the demonstration was held.
Martyn Kelly, prosecuting, said: "On November 28, the defendants, as part of their campaign, climbed onto a gantry.
"The nuisance is that the sergeant who had to take an operational decision at that stage, felt quite clearly there was a danger.
"As a result of that, he called for the M4 to be closed. That meant in both directions because everything had to go up the old A48, over the old bridge."
'Humorous protest'
Piers Marquis, defending Risk, 45, and Downes, 43, said his clients' actions were part of a legitimate protest.
He added: "This was clearly a protest and demonstration that was raising a legitimate point of public interest.
"It was peaceful, it was humorous, and was without malice or ill intent."
Huw Wallace, defending Stanesby 39, and Westell, 23, said: "There was no accident as a result of what they did.
"It was a peaceful, humorous protest and they came down, not willingly, but when the police came up for them.
"They had legitimate grievances and they brought it to the public's attention. There was no intent to cause the disruption that occurred."
Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC told the four, who were wearing Fathers 4 Justice t-shirts in the dock: "I hope I'm sensible enough to realise this is not the run-of-the-mill criminal case.
"I don't think for one minute that any of you were acting in malice.
"I can't encourage protest - you appreciate that - but the reality is
that there is a long standing history of respectful and peaceful protest in this country."
In addition to a 12-month conditional discharge imposed on each of the four, Judge Durham Hall also ordered them to pay £50 costs each.
Outside the court, Jolly Stanesby said: "If the laws were a bit fairer, we wouldn't have done it. I don't think we should have been here in the first place."
Friday, 19 November 2004
Fathers rights campaigner cuffs himself to Children's Minister
Fathers 4 Justice campaigner arrested for handcuffing himself to children's minister Margaret Hodge has been released on police bail.
Jolly Stanesby, 39, of Devon, stormed the stage at a family law conference in Salford, Greater Manchester.
The registered childminder said the stunt was the only way to get the group's message across.
A spokesman for Fathers 4 Justice said the protest was the first of a planned "Christmas of chaos".
Mr Stanesby, whose real name is Jonathan, used borrowed handcuffs to attach himself to the minister as she spoke at the conference.
The pair were cuffed together for 40 minutes before bolt cutters were used to separate them and he was arrested.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said Mrs Hodge, Labour MP for Barking, was unharmed.
After being released by police, Mr Stanesby said he acted after hearing Mrs Hodge come out with the "same old rant".
He said: "I do not enjoy it, I am sick of it, but what am I supposed to do?
Friday, 29 October 2004
Protest held over fathers' rights - Blackwall tunnel
Protest held over fathers' rights
Protesters from a fathers' rights group have brought traffic to a near standstill on some of London's key roads. The men from Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) climbed onto gantries on the A13, A2, M4, and A40.
Roads were closed for a short period while police assessed the scene but they have since reopened.
The protests are part of a campaign of events by F4J to raise awareness of the plight of divorced fathers.
A spokesman for the group said that the protests were the beginning of a full scale campaign of civil disruption.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed on Monday that the Metropolitan Police's public order branch was policing a "number of demonstrations" across the city.
She said police were alerted to a man on a gantry above the eastbound section of the A40 in White City at 0730 GMT, but traffic was flowing.
In another demonstration a man had climbed on the gantry above the westbound carriageway of the A13 near Prince Regents Lane.
And another man had climbed a gantry near Canning Town flyover.
At about 0812 GMT police were told about two men on the Blackwall Tunnel northbound entrance, southern approach. The entrance was later closed for safety reasons.
Scotland Yard said the two men were later arrested.
Police were also informed of another protest where a man had climbed on the gantry of the M4 elevated section eastbound into London.
There was no disruption to traffic in this protest.
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A group campaigning for fathers' rights warned yesterday that a series of protests on bridges and gantries which caused widespread chaos was "just the start" of a national campaign of civil disruption involving roads, railways and the courts.
Activists from Fathers 4 Justice scaled bridges and gantries in London, Bristol and Newcastle-upon-Tyne yesterday, disrupting traffic.
Police closed the Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol when four protesters, dressed as Batman, Robin, Superman and Spider-Man, climbed up it at 5.30am.
The group has also announced it is to start a new campaign of direct action on Merseyside - sending protesters to lobby the homes of solicitors, barristers and judges.
In Bristol, Fathers 4 Justice's spokesman, Jeff Skinner, said: "All motorists have been denied access to the suspension bridge this morning, as all our members are denied access to their children."
The bridge was closed for safety reasons and motorists in the Clifton and Leigh Woods districts of the city were warned to expect long delays.
In south London, two men demonstrating on a gantry at the entrance of the Blackwall tunnel were arrested.
Scotland Yard said they had been brought down as it was feared they presented a danger to traffic.
One of the men was Jolly Stanesby, 35, a childminder from Devon, who last Friday ended a week-long protest on a gantry over the Tamar bridge near Plymouth.
Protests were also staged on bridges above the A13, A2, M4 and A40 in London.
The first activist climbed on to a gantry above the A40 at around 7.30am.
The organisation's founder, Matt O'Connor, said activists were planning a campaign of widespread civil disobedience.
"If you give a father no options, you leave him no choice," Mr O'Connor said at a press conference yesterday. "Fatherhood is under attack in a way inconceivable 30 years ago."
A spokesman for the force said: "Anyone is entitled to protest peacefully in this country. This was a peaceful protest."
Protesters from a fathers' rights group have brought traffic to a near standstill on some of London's key roads. The men from Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) climbed onto gantries on the A13, A2, M4, and A40.
Roads were closed for a short period while police assessed the scene but they have since reopened.
The protests are part of a campaign of events by F4J to raise awareness of the plight of divorced fathers.
A spokesman for the group said that the protests were the beginning of a full scale campaign of civil disruption.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed on Monday that the Metropolitan Police's public order branch was policing a "number of demonstrations" across the city.
She said police were alerted to a man on a gantry above the eastbound section of the A40 in White City at 0730 GMT, but traffic was flowing.
In another demonstration a man had climbed on the gantry above the westbound carriageway of the A13 near Prince Regents Lane.
And another man had climbed a gantry near Canning Town flyover.
At about 0812 GMT police were told about two men on the Blackwall Tunnel northbound entrance, southern approach. The entrance was later closed for safety reasons.
Scotland Yard said the two men were later arrested.
Police were also informed of another protest where a man had climbed on the gantry of the M4 elevated section eastbound into London.
There was no disruption to traffic in this protest.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A group campaigning for fathers' rights warned yesterday that a series of protests on bridges and gantries which caused widespread chaos was "just the start" of a national campaign of civil disruption involving roads, railways and the courts.
Activists from Fathers 4 Justice scaled bridges and gantries in London, Bristol and Newcastle-upon-Tyne yesterday, disrupting traffic.
Police closed the Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol when four protesters, dressed as Batman, Robin, Superman and Spider-Man, climbed up it at 5.30am.
The group has also announced it is to start a new campaign of direct action on Merseyside - sending protesters to lobby the homes of solicitors, barristers and judges.
In Bristol, Fathers 4 Justice's spokesman, Jeff Skinner, said: "All motorists have been denied access to the suspension bridge this morning, as all our members are denied access to their children."
The bridge was closed for safety reasons and motorists in the Clifton and Leigh Woods districts of the city were warned to expect long delays.
In south London, two men demonstrating on a gantry at the entrance of the Blackwall tunnel were arrested.
Scotland Yard said they had been brought down as it was feared they presented a danger to traffic.
One of the men was Jolly Stanesby, 35, a childminder from Devon, who last Friday ended a week-long protest on a gantry over the Tamar bridge near Plymouth.
Protests were also staged on bridges above the A13, A2, M4 and A40 in London.
The first activist climbed on to a gantry above the A40 at around 7.30am.
The organisation's founder, Matt O'Connor, said activists were planning a campaign of widespread civil disobedience.
"If you give a father no options, you leave him no choice," Mr O'Connor said at a press conference yesterday. "Fatherhood is under attack in a way inconceivable 30 years ago."
A spokesman for the force said: "Anyone is entitled to protest peacefully in this country. This was a peaceful protest."
Saturday, 23 October 2004
Family law conference
Fathers 4 Justice protestors have overpowered police and stormed a conference on family law, setting off smoke bombs and flares and forcing the evacuation of the building.
The fathers' rights group was hoping to get the chance to remonstrate with the children and families minister, Lord Filkin, outside the conference venue, which is next to the Regent's canal in north London.
The group's spokesman, Matt O'Connor, told SocietyGuardian.co.uk that the minister could have found himself "in at the deep end".
Acting on a tip-off, the police stationed three divers and a dinghy in the canal as a precaution, and more than 30 policemen were brought in to guard the conference centre.
But the group's plan to confront Lord Filkin was thwarted by the fact that he had been reshuffled out of his family law role in September. His replacement, Baroness Ashton, addressed the conference before the protestors arrived.
The protest began at 11.30 when two men, one an able-bodied man in a wheelchair, had attempted to gain access to the conference run by the charity Children Law UK, after registering as members of a bogus organisation.
Their names were passed on to the Metropolitan police who identified them as members of the group Fathers 4 Justice, and they were turned away at the door.
The plan had been for the man in the wheelchair to "stage a miraculous recovery" in the conference hall and disrupt the meeting, said Mr O'Connor.
Fifteen policemen and police divers had been drafted in after the organisers got wind of the operation: but at lunchtime 15 protestors overpowered police on the door and set off flares in the foyer.
Fire alarms were set off, forcing the building, which is home to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, to be evacuated.
Around 20 extra police were brought in and prevented the men from gaining access to the conference hall. Eight men were arrested.
The conference has now restarted and is due to be addressed by Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, the head of the family division at the high court.
Mr O'Connor said: "We have had a protest outside the family law conference. Unfortunately our original plan was rumbled but we got 15 people inside and flares were set off after two policemen were overpowered.
"There are policemen in a dinghy on the canal. The conference has restarted but we want to make as much noise as possible."
He said the stunt was prompted by an interview with Lord Filkin published in the Guardian yesterday, in which the minister described as "wet" those fathers who did not persist in getting contact with their children after the first knockback.
"Well, we are beside a canal," said Mr O'Connor. "He could have been in at the deep end."
Glyn Farrow, the spokesman for the conference organisers, said: "Children Law UK appreciates the experience of fathers who have been unable to maintain contact with their children.
The fathers' rights group was hoping to get the chance to remonstrate with the children and families minister, Lord Filkin, outside the conference venue, which is next to the Regent's canal in north London.
The group's spokesman, Matt O'Connor, told SocietyGuardian.co.uk that the minister could have found himself "in at the deep end".
Acting on a tip-off, the police stationed three divers and a dinghy in the canal as a precaution, and more than 30 policemen were brought in to guard the conference centre.
But the group's plan to confront Lord Filkin was thwarted by the fact that he had been reshuffled out of his family law role in September. His replacement, Baroness Ashton, addressed the conference before the protestors arrived.
The protest began at 11.30 when two men, one an able-bodied man in a wheelchair, had attempted to gain access to the conference run by the charity Children Law UK, after registering as members of a bogus organisation.
Their names were passed on to the Metropolitan police who identified them as members of the group Fathers 4 Justice, and they were turned away at the door.
The plan had been for the man in the wheelchair to "stage a miraculous recovery" in the conference hall and disrupt the meeting, said Mr O'Connor.
Fifteen policemen and police divers had been drafted in after the organisers got wind of the operation: but at lunchtime 15 protestors overpowered police on the door and set off flares in the foyer.
Fire alarms were set off, forcing the building, which is home to the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, to be evacuated.
Around 20 extra police were brought in and prevented the men from gaining access to the conference hall. Eight men were arrested.
The conference has now restarted and is due to be addressed by Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, the head of the family division at the high court.
Mr O'Connor said: "We have had a protest outside the family law conference. Unfortunately our original plan was rumbled but we got 15 people inside and flares were set off after two policemen were overpowered.
"There are policemen in a dinghy on the canal. The conference has restarted but we want to make as much noise as possible."
He said the stunt was prompted by an interview with Lord Filkin published in the Guardian yesterday, in which the minister described as "wet" those fathers who did not persist in getting contact with their children after the first knockback.
"Well, we are beside a canal," said Mr O'Connor. "He could have been in at the deep end."
Glyn Farrow, the spokesman for the conference organisers, said: "Children Law UK appreciates the experience of fathers who have been unable to maintain contact with their children.
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