At the age of 42, having separated from his wife, he became infatuated with his landlord's daughter to an extent which can only be described as pathological.
Yet many families apparently believe it is an essential part of initiation into adulthood and the only way to ensure their daughter is seen as "pure" and thus desirable by potential husbands.
Last year he became a father and says he does not want his daughter to grow up like him in an environment in which the only available role models were "dossers and druggies".
Richard Hayward, from Folkestone, Kent, said he had to deal with an "inconsolable" daughter who was in floods of tears as she was only able to see 15 minutes of the concert before they had to get the last train home.