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5:20pm Monday 30th August 2010 in Every Action Has Consequences campaign
By David Watkinson, Deputy news editor
A FORMER gang member has returned to the estate where he grew up to help steer teenagers away from a life of crime.
John Magee, 37, said he spent most of his teenage years trying to avoid the police, as he took part in crime in the Roman Road and Highercroft areas of Blackburn.
Anti-social behaviour, drink and drug abuse, violence and petty theft became a way of life for John as said he bowed to pressure from his peers.
But now, after succeeding in turning his life around, he has devised a series of workshops to help others do the same.
John, who has adopted the pseudonym ‘Mister Consequence’ for his motivational talks, said: “I grew up on Highercroft when it was one of the most deprived estates in the north and notorious for high levels of crime.
“I got into trouble myself – from taking drugs and stealing, to gang-related crime.
“The turning point was when I saw a relative lying in a coma after a heroin overdose.
“That was when I realised I had to get my life sorted out.”
After turning around his life, John now wants to help others through a series of workshops.
He got the idea after meeting the family of Adam Rogers, who devised the Consequences campaign, backed by the Lancashire Telegraph, to raise awareness of the dangers of senseless violence.
Adam was killed after a ‘single punch’ attack on a night out in Blackburn last year.
With Community and Business Partners, Mr Magee is now launching a scheme in Highercroft.
Workshops will highlight the risks and consequences of drink and drug abuse, gang crime, underage sex, bullying and violence.
The sessions take place through the Highercroft Action Group and the Yo Club in Roman Road.
For more information visit www.misterconsequence.co.uk.
Comments(16)
Scooby
says...
8:46pm Mon 30 Aug 10
Little Diamond
says...
9:35pm Mon 30 Aug 10
adelaideblue
says...
5:27am Tue 31 Aug 10
badboy wrote:Shut up you moron.
TO LATE,to much cheap drink about,and police dont give a ****,unless they are doing a cover up
Little Diamond
says...
8:45am Tue 31 Aug 10
DEO VOLENTE
says...
8:46am Tue 31 Aug 10
time.team
says...
1:08pm Tue 31 Aug 10
andy1
says...
2:05pm Tue 31 Aug 10
DEO VOLENTE wrote:I suppose that there was never crime before New Labour? Mind you there where plonkers and no doubt you was one of them. Wait until these lovely spending cuts take hold watch the crime rates sore then come back and waffle on. Letting the Tories in was the worst decission that could happen. The Party conference is soon upon us lets see how many Lib Dems demand the head of Clegg for forming a Government with Cameron. I voted Lib Dem as a protest against Usherr. I did certinaly not vote for a copalition vote that involved Cameron.
As previously stated crime an disorder exploded under the last "New Labour" government. "New Labour" are and always were "Soft on Crime and Soft on the causes of Crime". In relation to this point ASBO's have been a classic "New Labour" failure. The vast majority of ASBO's are breached, whereby no further action is taken. In addition ASBOs are merely "Badges of Honour" for some criminals. We must also never forget that "New Labour" are responsible for allowing Hundred's of Thousand's of "Foreign" criminals into the U.K. unchecked. In relation to the latter point, "New Labour" also failed on their "War on Drugs". The Drugs Intervention Programme has used up millions of pounds of taxpayers money with virtually no positive outcomes. "New Labour" failed on their "War on Drugs" due to their reluctance to accept who is actually responsible for the importing, supplying and dealing Class A drugs. In other words "New Labour" political correctness prevented the "real" criminals who are responsible for Class A drug offences, including "Foriegn criminals", from being arrested and given adequate custodial sentences. On a different note, we must also never forget that under "New labour" the gap between the rich and poor in the U.K. grew wider than it did under the Thatcher government. This inevitably leads some people, especially young people, into crime. In addition, in relation to young people in the UK. "New Labour" is directly responsible for ruining their life chances. "New Labour" are responsible for creating Hundred's of Thousand's of "NEETS. That is young people who have left school and are not in "Education, Employment or Training". In the U.K. we are currently living with the "New Labour" nightmare legacy. Thankfully "New Labour" have been rejected by the U.K. electorate and the new coalition government is starting to address the serious economic and moral mess left behind by "New Labour". We must never allow "New Labour" back into office. As "Lord Mandelson" pointed out David Miliband is the "Heir to Blair". We must never let another "Blair" and another politically disorientated, spendaholic, champagne socilaist "New Labour" shambles back into office.
Deus Vobiscum
duke bar
says...
4:58pm Tue 31 Aug 10
DEO VOLENTE
says...
7:30pm Tue 31 Aug 10
excaliber
says...
8:39pm Tue 31 Aug 10
DEO VOLENTE wrote:Do you just copy and paste the same cr*p into every post, or do you use some software that generates it?
As previously stated "New Labour" and their politically disorientated, spendaholic, champagne socialism are responsible for the economic and moral decline of the U.K. "New Labour" have now been rejected by the U.K. electorate. The new coalition government have now started to address the "New Labour" legacy. This will lead to many difficult decisions. These difficult decisions have however been forced onto the new coalition due to the irresponsible and naive last "New Labour" government. Thankfully "New Labour" are now consigned to the political wilderness for many, many years. We must never allow "New Labour" to corrupt and infect the U.K. again. Are you listening Mr Miliband?
excaliber
says...
8:41pm Tue 31 Aug 10
DEO VOLENTE wrote:Do you just copy and paste the same cr*p into every post, or do you use some software that generates it?
As previously stated "New Labour" and their politically disorientated, spendaholic, champagne socialism are responsible for the economic and moral decline of the U.K. "New Labour" have now been rejected by the U.K. electorate. The new coalition government have now started to address the "New Labour" legacy. This will lead to many difficult decisions. These difficult decisions have however been forced onto the new coalition due to the irresponsible and naive last "New Labour" government. Thankfully "New Labour" are now consigned to the political wilderness for many, many years. We must never allow "New Labour" to corrupt and infect the U.K. again. Are you listening Mr Miliband?
DEO VOLENTE
says...
9:45pm Tue 31 Aug 10
proud_mummy
says...
8:58am Wed 1 Sep 10
Chris P Bacon
says...
10:34am Wed 1 Sep 10
defective typewriter
says...
3:39pm Wed 1 Sep 10
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badboy says...
7:57pm Mon 30 Aug 10