Former gangster to share his story at Leighton church

John Pridmore served two prison sentences in his teens and went on to become a feared enforcer in the London underworld.

The 52-year-old will be at the Church of the Sacred Heart, 5 Beaudesert,on Monday, May 23 at 7.30pm as part of a Parish Mission running from May 23 to 27.

The money he made from his life of crime bought him the classic gangster lifestyle of fast cars, designer suits and a string of beautiful women.

He underwent a dramatic life-changing experience after nearly killing a man outside a central London nightclub. Since then he has travelled internationally personally speaking to over 2.5 million people warning children about the dangers of the gun and drug culture.

At 6ft 5ins tall, with a shaved head, John looks more the hard man than motivational speaker but he is said to leave a deep impact on the young people he meets.

On the back of his bestselling biography ‘From Gangland to Promised Land’, John has released his latest book entitled ‘Journey to Freedom’. In it he delves into the theme of inner awareness and healing and speaks of his work with young teenagers and ex-gang members into becoming important members of society.

Recently John travelled to LA to meet Paul Kelmenson a Hollywood producer who was responsible for the Blockbuster ‘Ronin’ and for ‘American History X, he wants to bring Pridmore’s story of hope to the big screen.

Last year alone he spoke in 16 countries including a two-month long tour in Australia and a visit to Liberia where he reached out to former children soldiers that had taken part in the civil war that left thousands scarred by the violence and divided the country for over a decade.

He has also just returned from Washington and Canada after speaking at international conferences and talking to thousands of young people in schools and prisons.