Hi, my name is Garry. Nearly 2 months ago my grandchildren were taken by their dad on an organised visit and he has refused to return them. He says they will now live with him. He and his family are refusing to allow any access to my daughter to see her children. To say she is at her wits end is the biggest understatement ever.

My daughter was in an abusive and controlling relationship with the father. In January this year she told him to leave, which showed such strength and makes me so proud. She has always put the children's wellbeing before her own. They did not seek a court order regarding custody of the children as it just didn't cross her mind at the time. He would see the kids whenever suited him with no set times, and my daughter would allow this as at the end of the day he is their father. His family forced their way onto her home and took anything that they had brought the children including toys , pictures, clothes etc. My daughter found this very upsetting.

He and his family have tried to control my daughter by making up lies. He has tried to blackmail her into having sex just so he would help with the children. His mom rang my daughter at 2.00am one morning leaving a message that my daughter didn't care about her kids. What kind of people are these. The house they live in is not suitable for 2 young children. They have no room of their own with my granddaughter sleeping in a bedroom with her Auntie, and my grandson sleeping in a cot in the lounge. This is a 3 bedroomed house with 5 adults, 6 dogs and now my 2 grandchildren. These are all facts at this time, but of course I understand things may change. He has taken the children to try and have an element of control over my daughter. He has taken the children so he can and has given up work so as to get a property off the council. He has not done this to be a good father.

He and his mother keep blocking her messages, and my daughter is not allowed to go to the house. They then say she makes no effort to see the children. How can she if they don't respond, and won't allow her too.

We have spoken to the police, social services, Women's Aid, solicitors and other organisations. They all refuse to do anything as, as the law stands he is on the birth certificate and can just take the children. How is this right? Although on full benefits she is not entitled to legal aid apparently. The law is failing my daughter and my grandchildren.

I do not have the funds to pay for a solicitor to help her go to court to get custody. So I am reaching out to anyone who will listen for help. We are looking to pay for a solicitor to go to court to get a PSO. Prohibited Steps Order. As this is now the only way my daughter can get access to and regain custody of her children. She has never said that he as the father cannot see,and be involved in the raising of the children. But what he has done is wrong. The stress this is causing is unmeasureable. Please help as these children need their mother and this behaviour cannot be condoned. I am at a loss as to why Social Services refuse to get involved. So going to court is the only option we have left. But solicitors don't do anything for free.

Thank you for spending your time to read my plea.

Just to reiterate that the father of my grandchildren is not allowing my daughter any access to her children. He went as far as to send a few pictures a week or so ago of them to her. They looked pale, unhappy and unclean. He then deleted the pictures a few minutes later.

Please help my grandchildren.