Ex-Mafia man enthralls Middleton youths

Prince's Trust Team members with ex-Mafia man Louis Ferrante.

Reformed Mafia man Louis Ferrante captivated Middleton youths with tales of his law-breaking days.

Ferrante, who has flown over from the USA to publicise his book, “Tough Guy”, called in at the Middleton Community Training Centre last month to talk to young people who had enrolled on Groundwork’s Prince’s Trust Team programmes.

During an eight year imprisonment in various maximum security prisons, Ferrante became inspired to change his ways by the world of books, reading everything from 19th century fiction to Caesar’s Gallic Wars. As a consequence he turned his back on crime.

Mr Ferrante is now eager to spread the word about how young lives can be changed for the better by simply taking up reading and his audience was left with the message that it’s never too late to make a positive change.

The Prince’s Trust Team programmes are aimed at equipping young people with useful skills and knowledge and motivating them towards employment, education or training. Last year the Prince’s Trust helped 40,000 young people towards a better lifestyle.