Reformed thug speaks to students

John Pridmore, who nearly killed a man who failed to pay a debt, spoke to students at Blessed William Howard Catholic High School.

Now a high profile Christian speaker, the 48-year-old travels the globe talking about how he changed his life.

He told pupils about his heavy involvement in organised crime and long stretches in prison.

The reformed crack cocaine wheeler dealer claimed to have heard the voice of God after beating to a pulp a client who reneged on drug payments outside a London nightclub.

That was 20 years ago and he decided to use his experiences to help young people by showing them an alternative path to violence.

After his conversion in 1992 he made his way to the Bronx in New York to join the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a small group of men who live like monks in some of the seediest urban districts, to help them in their outreach work.

Students found his talk enlightening. Charlotte Allerton-Price , aged 14, said of the 6ft 5in reformed thug: "His stories were so emotive and made me reflect on personal experience. He was huge; a bit scary to start with, but you could tell how devoted he is to God."

Natalie Brown, also 14, said: "John Pridmore was very inspiring and his stories were really interesting. They also had an impact on me because they were so personal."

Mr Pridmore is now a full time speaker in parishes, schools and prisons around the UK and Ireland to tens of thousands of people each year.

He has founded his own commune in Ireland, has led retreats, conferences and seminars throughout the UK and USA as well as Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Cayman Islands, France, Italy, Hong Kong, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Mexico, Liberia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia.