A HOMELESS father has made an emotional plea to the authorities to be re-united with his seven-year-old daughter for Christmas.

Gary Newell took to the streets of Chester yesterday dressed as Father Christmas in a battle to see his young daughter during the holiday period.

Since separating from his partner, who lives on the outskirts of Chester, four years ago Gary has been denied access to his daughter due to court orders and restrictions placed on him.

He had been found guilty of harassment for trying to see his ex-partner and daughter in 1999/2000, following a trial in his absence before Chester magistrates in 2001.

The 43-year-old spoke out for the first time this week following his arrest in Liverpool last Thursday when five dads dressed as Santa brought morning rush-hour traffic to a standstill.

The protesters had donned the costumes as part of an official protest organised by the Fathers 4 Justice pressure group which is campaigning for the rights of fathers and grandparents in the Family Courts.

Police were forced to close The Strand, near to the landmark Liver Building, causing rush-hour traffic delays.

Gary, whose sister lives in Appleyards Lane, Handbridge, bought his Santa costume in Chester, and took part in the protest because he had not not seen his daughter for four years.

Today, Gary is living out of a suitcase and says the possibility of seeing his daughter again is the only thing that keeps him going.

He said: 'Every time I have tried to see her police officers have arrived and taken me away. What memory my daughter has of me is now slowly fading away. Due to the authorities, she may start to believe I am a bad dad but I am not.

'The possibility of seeing her again in the future is the only thing that is keeping me going.

'I have applied for access through the courts and a hearing is set to take place in January.

'People say to me 'Don't worry. She will come around when she is 16 or 18'. But if they were in that situation they would not sit back and let time pass by. I last saw her when she was three - she is now seven.'

Gary must apply to the courts to see his daughter: 'I don't feel I should have to. At the moment I am still going through access court proceedings but it has taken 18 months.

'My ex-partner says she will allow me to see my daughter if I get a home of my own, but no-one will house me at the moment.

'I am angry and frustrated. I have been through four years of depression. That ended after I saw the group Fathers 4 Justice being talked about on television.

'They gave a sparkle to my life and I contacted them. They have been a great help and have made me realise that there are thousands of other fathers out there in the same situation.'

Although Gary will probably not see his daughter this Christmas, he has bought a present for her.

'I always remember birthdays, Christmas, Valentine's Day and at Easter. I always buy a present. I once left a gift on her doorstep, hoping it would get to her.'

Asked whether Christmas is the worse time of the year, Gary adds: 'It is the same all year round. People always forget that there is another set of grandparents who also miss out.

'My dad died a year ago and he never got to see his grand-daughter. My uncle and nephew died and they also never got to see her.'

Despite his current predicament, Gary is confident he will soon find a steady home and will be reunited with his daughter.

'She is with a good mother. I have got no malice against her. Deep down her mother knows I am a good father' The five protesting Santas were held in police custody for 12 hours following last Thursday's protest.

They have been charged with causing a dangerous obstruction of a highway and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January