FATHERS’ rights campaigners arrested for scaling Exeter Cathedral say they will continue to target the building after their requests to meet with the bishop were ignored.

Jolly Stanesby, 44, from Ivybridge, Devon, and Archit Ssan, 53, from Croydon, climbed up the front of the cathedral on to the balcony on Father’s Day this year as part of a protest by the ‘New Fathers 4 Justice’ splinter group.

They also unfurled a banner reading ‘Family Courts Do Evil’ while a special church service attended by judges went on below them.

At the time of the arrests New Fathers 4 Justice spokesman Rich Adams said the group were campaigning for a change in the law so fathers were afforded “the same rights as mothers”. They also want transparent family courts to be more open to scrutiny.

The spokesman said: “We’d like nothing more than to be simply with our families, and happy in the knowledge our children would grow up with equal rights, but until anything is done – this is the only way anyone takes any notice of our message.”

Mr Stanesby and Mr Ssan were rebailed to Exeter police station earlier this week and have now been rebailed until September 9 on suspicion of criminal damage pending further inquiries.

A spokesman for the New Fathers 4 Justice said: “The Dean of Exeter has once again received our message regarding arranging a meeting with Bishop but he has yet to respond.

“Therefore whilst the C of E [Church of England] refuse to meet with Jolly Stanesby’s daughter Rosy, the Cathedral remains a target for future protests.

Protesters say Exeter Cathedral ‘remains a target’ as New Fathers 4 Justice activists questioned over criminal damage

August 7, 2014 New Fathers 4 Justice

The group behind a protest on the top of Exeter Cathedral in June this year have warned that the building remains a ‘target’.

New Fathers 4 Justice activists Jolly Stanesby from Ivybridge & Archi Ssan from Croydon were questioned by police in Exeter police station on Tuesday regarding the June Exeter Cathedral protest.

On fathers day the pair scaled Exeter Cathedral in protest against the present secret family court system. Archi Ssan also abseiled down the front of the cathedral unfurling a banner which read ‘Pray for Children’

Initially the protesters said in a statement that they were prepared to stay there ‘for days’.

Both men were dressed as superheroes and crowds gathered on the Cathedral Green to watch the scene unfold.

The pair have been released on bail until 9th September on suspicion of Criminal damage.

A representative of the group say The Dean of Exeter has received a message regarding arranging a meeting with Bishop but he has yet to respond. Adding: “Therefore whilst the C of E refuse to meet with Jolly Stanesby’ s daughter Rosy the Cathedral remains a target for future protests.”

When he was originally arrested in June Jolly Stanesby hinted that judges could be the next target – with a warning they should ‘watch their rooftops’.

Mr Stanesby has been involved in a number of high-profile operations for the group which campaigns for the rights of fathers in custody cases.

He camped out at the home of deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman resulting in a fine and prison term, and handcuffed himself to minister Margaret Hodge.

He also scaled the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, USA dressed as Batman – prompting a SWAT team response.

And Jolly was one of none people arrested at Buckingham Palace in 2007 – the same year he scaled Stonehenge dressed as Fred Flinstone.

In 2006 he spent days on the roof of a judge in Exeter dressed as Father Christmas.

In 2004 he spent four days at the top of the Tamar Bridge.

Speaking in June Mr Stanesby said: “This is the start of a new wave of protest, fathers are angry. Every judge in the country should be looking over their shoulder towards their rooftop.”

New Fathers 4 Justice were formed in 2008 is not affiliated with Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) UK

Jolly Stanesby

Fathers for Justice campaigner released on bail again over Exeter Cathedral protest

August 7, 2014 New Fathers 4 Justice

A New Fathers 4 Justice campaigner arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after scaling Exeter Cathedral has been released on police bail again until September 9.

Jolly Stanesby, 48, from Ivybridge and a 53-year-old man from London were seen on the roof of Exeter Cathedral at 10.25am on Sunday, June 15.

Police were called “to protect life and property, and facilitate a peaceful protest where it doesn’t impinge on the civil liberties of others.”

The two were arrested and released pending further inquiries.