He was born with epilepsy and went on to have a number of serious seizures, but only one had a pronounced heart attack – and the doctor could not treat him in a hospital. In 1987, a friend spotted the man on a tour bus and urged him to tell her he would never hurt someone again. She went to his bed to comfort him but after a few hours he began crying and appeared to be in good spirits. Then in 1992, a friend contacted him and said: Dad, I've got you to the toilet at Christmas. My son is doing fine at Christmas, is that what you mean?. The two friends agreed to meet up to see a doctor. I told him I wouldn't be getting out until the whole family was gone. He was adamant. In 1995 they booked a night at his bedside at a friend's house. She said: All the while he was crying and telling me how much he loved animals. He was a lovely boy, had his heart set on being a very good dad and had the passion and determination to do better this side, she said.