Craig Fletcher, 30, accompanied the youngsters to HMP Wolds in Hull as part of a pilot project entitled Evolution, specialising in deterrence and intervention work.

The pilot project, run in conjunction with Helena Housing, was run over three days and was designed by Craig to stop young vandals from making the same mistakes in life that he did.

Up to eight youths, aged 11 and upwards, who have caused damage to homes that Helena Housing oversee in the Clock Face area, were referred to meet Craig for help on getting lives on the right track.

Evolution gives participants a reality check and increases their awareness of victim empathy.

Craig said: "Through this initiative we hope to help young people examine their lifestyles to prevent them from enduring the same kind of conditions that I had to endure while I was in jail."

Craig was arrested in 2004 for supplying Class A Drugs on the streets of St Helens as part of Operation Gresty.

During the operation police arrested 25 people, including Craig, on suspicion of drug offences during 40 raids at houses in Merseyside.

He was sentenced to four and half years, but was released in 2006, and while in jail used his time constructively and emerged determined to leave his life of crime behind him.

Craig added: "I realised that needed to do something positive with my life or else I wouldn't be able to survive living the same lifestyle that I once did."