Page 8 - The Record

theRecord

“Allow me to

talk about my

past and you

might give me

a better future”

aving a criminal record can When the police arrived at the phone better place.
make it difficult to get into box from which I’d made the call they
Hemployment but as Ben has came on masse – three patrol cars in all. Believing that I’d never be able to get a
discovered, a diagnosis of PTSD makes it I tried to explain how I was feeling and job I decided that the only option I had
even more so. why I’d done what I’d done. They had to would be to work for myself. I decided
arrest me and I went along willingly; in a to set up a photography business which
I came out of prison after serving 3 strange way I thought I might be able to I’m pleased to say is slowly getting off the
months of a six-month sentence. get some help for my problems. ground.

To give you some background to my con- My case was heard at Crown Court where I’ve been in touch with all the sports
viction, I was sent home from military the prosecution agreed with my barris- clubs in my local area, especially those
service with combat stress. The military ter that my motives were not racially which have kids teams (parents love
tried to help me by putting me on a six- motivated and that nothing would be photos of their off-spring in action). It’s
week treatment programme but after a served by sending me to prison. Both important for me to show that I’m no risk
week it was agreed that my symptoms recommended that I have 1-1 counselling to any of the children that I’m photo-
were far too complex for them to treat through the probation service. However, graphing and so whenever I’m asked,
and so the decision was taken to send the judge stated that he had to make an I’m happy to show clubs a copy of my
me home. My head was all over the place example of me and so prison it was. enhanced DBS check. Inevitably, I’ll be
and I just wanted to put my car through a asked about the time I spent in prison. I
brick wall and do away with myself. I did my time with no problems or tell them why I did what I did and how I
complaints. It was a short sentence and I came to be in that position.
I thought I might feel better if I were able just kept my head down. Sadly I didn’t get
to explain how I felt. Thinking it might any help or counselling and when I was The majority of clubs I’ve spoken to have
be easier to talk to my wife over a drink, released I was really in the same position absolutely no issue with the fact that I’ve
we headed off to a local pub. However, as I’d been before I went to prison. The been in prison; they seem to be more
I ended up getting absolutely paralytic only difference was that nobody wanted concerned about the fact that I’ve been
drunk and on the way home had a fantas- to know me – so much for having served diagnosed with military PTSD – I’m
tic idea – I’d ring the police and tell them my time!!! sure they think that I’m some sort of axe
that I was planning on blowing up a local wielding maniac.
mosque. I found it incredibly difficult to get work
and it feels like I’m constantly being pun- I’ve never used my PTSD as an excuse for
ished for a stupid my behaviour. What I did was a cry for
mistake I made just help and I’m sure that the PTSD led to
to try to get some the bad choices I made in seeking this.
help for myself.
I’ve embraced and engaged with the
I eventually manged treatment that I’ve been offered and I’ve
to get some coun- learnt coping mechanisms to help me
selling and was di- deal with my triggers. In the same way
agnosed with PTSD. that I’m happy to discuss my criminal
The treatment I’ve record, I’d have no problem talking about
received has really my PTSD especially if it helped employ-
helped me and I feel ers get a better understanding of it.
like I’m in a much

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