Batman's Crusade

5:03pm Friday 15th August 2008

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A FATHER-of-three, who dressed as Batman and scaled a judge's house to mark the one year anniversary of being separated from his children, said he has achieved his objective.

Tim Line, a former soldier and member of Fathers4Justice, said he felt compelled to spend 36 hours on the roof of Lord Justice Matthew Thorpe's house in Seend High Street to show his girls that he would fight to see them again.

However, the diabetic was rushed to hospital following his rooftop vigil and subsequent arrested when he fell ill late on Sunday night.

Mr Line, 45, from Cornbrash Rise in Trowbridge said: "I was in hospital in Bath for two days, but despite a slight twinge in my stomach I am okay now.

"All I care about is that my girls know I love them and want to see them again.

"I feel I have done what I set out to achieve.

"I was arrested for the alleged damage of one roof slate and allegedly screwing down a hatch. I couldn't be arrested for trespassing or harassment as there was no-one at home at the time."

After what Mr Line describes as a successful protest, events took a turn for the worse when he started suffering from heartburn at Melksham police station.

He said feeling ill had meant he stopped eating and had been physically sick on the Saturday night.

By Sunday he had stopped taking the insulin he was meant to take with meals, as he had not had any food.

He said: "I was told the heartburn and my fast pulse could be down to stress, but I wasn't stressed, I knew I was going to be arrested.

"By Sunday I was in a pretty bad way and after going to hospital in Trowbridge I was taken to Bath."

Mr Line said he had not wanted to cause anyone any harm during his protest but was determined to show his daughters he loved them.

He said: "I don't know if they get the letters I have sent them or the presents but I want them to know I care."

Mr Line was originally given access to the girls, but last year they told a judge they no longer wanted contact with him.

He started climbing the judge's house at 4am last Friday and said the climb had taken him an hour and a half.

He said he had targeted the judge, as he is one of the most powerful appeal judges in the country.

His aim was to highlight the injustices in family courts as well as reaching out to his daughters, who are 12, 14 and 15 and live with their mother in Seend.

A banner set up on the rooftop read Dad Loves You All' and he hoped his girls would see it.

Police surrounded the home as Mr Line took up his peaceful protest, but the only hairy moment he experienced was realising there was a bees' nest on the roof with him.

He said: "At one point there were about 40 or 50 bees around me, but I luckily wasn't stung. They didn't like the banner much though and I am sure they tried to sting that."

Mr Line was released on police bail pending further enquiries.