Reformed burglar speaks about his life of crime

Tommy has been in prison several times over the festive period and missed out on celebrations with his five children

To mark the launch of GMP's Christmas card, a reformed burglar who has been in prison several times over the festive period and missed out on celebrations with his five children has spoke about missing out on Christmas and urged others to ‘think twice’ about offending.

Tommy, 35, said: "I was about 13 or 14 when I first got involved in crime.
"I got put in a children's home.

"My dad couldn't handle me not going in school and messing about.

"I started messing about with the older lads who were getting me to pinch cars.

"I met my girlfriend, had a few children - five children - and started getting into drugs in 2000.

"My girlfriend had our first child when I was 17. I was into crime then too.

"It was just really car theft or driving without insurance or disqualified driving.

"I was coming under the radar of police. I was getting arrested a few times a month.

"I was just looking up to the older lads and being a follower. The police didn't really bother me at that age. I was young.

“The police didn't scare me because the older lads reassured me.

"I was 15, maybe 16, when I first went into a young offenders’ institute.

"I went into Hindley Prison when I was 17 or 18 and then in an adult prison at 21.

"At first I was really scared of jail, but a few of my friends were in there and that settled me down.”

Tommy continued: "No spell in prison is nice really, but you don't want to be locked up in prison over Christmas when you've got a family outside like mum and dads and sisters and brothers.

"I've got five children. They are aged 16, 14, 13, 12 and 10.

"I've spent nine Christmases in prison.

"When you're in jail you're on your own routine but it's when you get on the telephone to the girlfriend.

“You think ‘I should be home with the kids opening presents’.

"It’s hard when you’ve had a life of crime since you were a kid. You start getting used to the lifestyle.
"It started escalating to burglary and one or two assaults, selling drugs and using drugs.”

Tommy continued: "I have sympathised with my victims now I've got a bit older. It's only since 2008 that I've ever burgled and that was because of the drug habit I've had.

"I've just got out of the cycle of crime and it's because of my girlfriend and my kids - being back with them.

"You don’t want to be locked up at that time of year away from your family.

"I’ve got three boys and I don’t like them coming to prison to see me or thinking crime is okay.

"I worry about my kids going down the same road. If I had my parents there when I was a kid I might not have gone down the road I went down.”

Tommy added: “This year will be different.

“The kids are already saying they can’t wait for Christmas.

“I've been out of prison for 16 weeks. I’ve spent time with them on three of their birthdays lately and it's been brilliant.

"We have been out for meals with them.

"My girlfriend says I'm doing really good and she just hopes I carry on.
"
Others should think twice about offending.

"Think of your family and think of your victims.

"It's not worth going in jail and losing your family and everything else.

"The probation service does really well for me.

"They make sure I've got a script with my drug problem.

"A member of staff comes to my house every Monday.

"They say if I carry on doing well they will put me on a painting and decorating course after Christmas.

"It's nice to have that help because you know you can abide by their rules and get on in life.

"I've got my forklift truck driving licence.

"I've got a few NVQs and the decorating course could be good. I'll have a good bash at that."
PC Craig Simpson said: "A local employer called Bell's have been willing to take on some ex offenders.

"We are looking at selecting some ex offenders to obtain qualifications at college and Bell's were prepared to give them apprenticeships.

"It's one of the best incentives for ex offenders I have seen.

"Over the last two years we have been running this scheme, we have seen workers who absolutely love the job.

"It is a transformation in their lifestyle.

"If you haven't got an incentive for offenders to change their behaviour, you are up against a brick wall."

Greater Manchester Police assistant chief constable Terry Sweeney said: "There is always an increase in the number of burglaries and robberies in November and December because people have more goods in their homes and they have a period of darkness when houses are left empty.

“The programmes people like Tommy are taking part are essential.

“If we can get people out of crime and into a meaningful lifestyle, it's better for the community we live in.”