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Getting a kick out of life
A Doncaster ex con is fighting his way back on to the straight and narrow by training as a kickboxing coach.
Dean Morgan had led a life of crime, spending lengthy spells in prison for violence and drug offences, before turning his life around and enrolling on a sports coaching course at Doncaster College.
The 28-year-old from Scawsby is one of the country's leading amateur kickboxers after learning the martial art aged five.
Said Dean: "I have always loved fighting and started kickboxing quite early but that's what got me into trouble in the end.
"I was brought up in Eastern Europe by my Uncle Mick who was one of the youngest soldiers in the Falklands War and mingled with the Russian mafia, communist gangs and some of the worst criminals around so I've
always known how to handle myself."
Dean, who was expelled from school at an early age and first jailed aged 17 for fighting, said: "I had been going in and out of prison for so long that it wasn't affecting me anymore.
"I was very close to beating someone up three days before I was due to be released but then I realised that I was wasting my life. I stopped, was released and haven't been in trouble since."
Once out of prison, he returned to live with his mum in Doncaster and held down a job as a plasterer before enrolling at the college in September.
His story has been used as a case study by the probation service as an example of how lives can be turned around.
He said: "I just want to put my skills to good use and channel my aggression. Ideally I'd like to start my own kickboxing team – that's why I'm doing this course.
"I'm looking to do another three year course with the College and get my proper qualifications so I can get kids off the streets, train them up and give them something to do with their lives.
"Life is good at the moment, although I'm not used to being a skint student."
Doncaster College principal Rowland Foote said: "I met Dean when I was wandering around college and got chatting about his past.
"He is a very interesting character and his story is a great example of what can be achieved through learning."
Away from his studies, Dean is currently writing a book entitled 'Harder than crack, smack and all that' which charts his life and urges young people to make the most of their lives.
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Weather for Doncaster
Friday 25 May 2012
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