Former gangster for Drimoleague talk on Monday

By Anthea Ryan

FORMER London gangster, John Pridmore, will be giving a talk in All Saints Church, Drimoleague at 7.30pm on Monday, April 11th.
 After recently returning from Canada and Washington speaking at international conferences, Pridmore (51) will talk about his past life of crime and give an insight into the dangers of guns and drug culture.
Last year alone, Pridmore visited a total of 16 countries and addressed over 2.5 million people. The Drimoleague talk will run as part of Parish Mission events, which will take place from Monday April 11th-Friday 15th.
Pridmore served two prison sentences in his teens and went on to become a feared enforcer in the London underworld.  
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, speaking to kids about the dangers of the gun and drug culture. At 6’5”, with a shaved head, Pridmore looks more the hard man than motivational speaker, but he leaves a deep impact on the young people he meets.
On the back of his bestselling biography From Gangland to Promised Land, John Pridmore 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, helping them become 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.