Former addict says sorry for his crimes

Mark Kenyon was one of the most prolific burglars in Sussex and spent a total of 16 years behind bars.

But he went on a year-long programme to divert and rehabilitate and now, 14 months after leaving prison, he's "happy and going straight".

He spoke to The Argus to publicise the programme and he asked if could apologise through this newspaper to all those he robbed and stole from.

A heroin addict for most of his criminal career, Mr Kenyon, 48, said: "At the time I committed the crimes I didn't think anything about victims.

"Now I feel terrible and I want to say I'm very sorry for what I did to them.

"My only goal in those days was to steal valuables and sell them to get money for heroin."

And he needed lots of cash.

He spent at least £300 a day on heroin and sometimes splashed out £500 for a night on crack cocaine.

To fund his habit he committed countless burglaries, stealing £1,500 silverware from a house in Haywards Heath, £50,000 worth of antiques from a house in Wales and £5,500 worth of silverware from an address in High Salvington, Worthing.

Living at addresses mostly in Brighton and Hove, he associated with the most notorious criminals in the county and at one time was hunted by the FBI in America where he was thought to have absconded while on bail.

All that, he promised, was now behind him and, for the first time in decades, he said he felt normal again.

Mr Kenyon is the first to complete the Brighton and Hove Prolific Offenders Supervision Scheme run by the Probation Service and Sussex Police.

Hastings was the pilot town for the scheme and others like Brighton and Hove followed 16 months ago.

It is seen as the forerunner of "Going Straight" contracts, a scheme announced recently by Home Secretary Charles Clarke to give offenders a chance and to save them from prison.

Mr Kenyon at first was skeptical and convinced police and probation were hell bent on "railroading me back to jail".

He left prison in December 2004, after serving three years of a four-and-a-half-year stretch for burglary and was immediately put on the scheme.

Jacqui Light, his probation supervisor, said: "The purpose is to put together a supervision plan for the offender and to reduce the fear of crime."

Others on the programme may fail but Miss Light said half of those on it have reduced their offending. Those who don't comply with programme requirements ultimately are fast-tracked back to prison.

Mr Kenyon said strong supervision was the key to success.

He was prescribed the heroin-substitute methodone, housed in a council hostel and assigned a key worker who liaised with Probation.

Mr Kenyon was guided on to a life-skills course and he now has ambitions to move into his own flat and work either as a driver or a counsellor. He wants to help sufferers of hepatitis C which he contracted through dirty needles. He said: "I know as much about the disease as any lay person and I would like to help people. I have been through it and would be able to relate to them."

Supervision checks four times a week ensured he didn't associate with his old "friends".

He was dubious at the start but said: "Half way through the light went on and I started to take control and become self-motivated.

"I had avoided family gatherings in the past because of my addiction and the fear of what people thought of me but now I'm seeing relatives again."

He visits his daughter and parents and said: "My mum has been very supportive and is over the moon with my progress."

Mr Kenyon said the programme and high-level of supervision saved him.

"It was the making of me. They knew where I was every day and wanted explanations as to where I had been.

"There were four appointments every week. If it had been just one then I reckon I would have ended up going back to my old ways and messing about.

"This programme has made me human again. It has made me feel bad for my victims. It has made me feel happier about myself.

"And it may have even saved my life."