Seven years ago, Desmond had a child with a woman following a brief affair which broke up before his daughter was born. The mother at first refused him access to his child but, following legal action, he succeeded in getting five hours' access per week in return for maintenance payments.

The relationship with the mother remained difficult, but Desmond was able, gradually, to build a good relationship with his son, who is now six.

Like many fathers in similar situations, Desmond had to reorganise his existence to place his child at the top of his priorities. To miss even one period of access might have damaging consequences. But so good was Desmond's record that, in the course of several of the hearings relating to his situation, he was praised by the judge. Some weeks ago, however, when he came before the same judge he received, not approval, but condemnation, and was barred from playing any further role in his daughter's upbringing.

The change began a short time ago, when the mother of Desmond's child informed him that, as her sister was getting married, she was going to give their son to her sister and her husband as a wedding present. Desmond was thunderstruck.

Immediately, he took steps to have his name inserted on the birth certificate and also initiated an application for guardianship, both of which would give him the minimal right to be consulted before his child could be adopted.

Soon he found himself back in court for the guardianship hearing, being harangued by the same judge who had earlier praised his paternal commitment, on the grounds that, in having his name inserted on the birth certificate, he had acted without permission of the court.

By this time, the mother's sister was married and the child had started living with her and her husband. As de facto parents, they had now been joined to the proceedings which were to consider Desmond's application for guardianship.

Having unburdened himself of his disapproval of Desmond's behaviour, the judge said that he would take a little time to consider the matter, and retired to his chambers. He returned within half-an-hour and said that he was going to ask just one question of the child's mother, and would make his decision on the basis of the answer.

The questions was: "Was this child conceived as the result of a stable and loving relationship?"

The mother hesitated momentarily before answering "No."

The judge said he proposed to end not merely the father's access, but any further involvement by him in the life of his child. The adoption would go ahead.