Poet grateful mum turned him over to police at 16

Connor Allen is a talented poet, writer, and actor who has made significant changes in his life after facing some tough challenges as a teenager. At the age of 16, Connor had a serious incident where he hurt his mother during an argument. This moment was a turning point for him, as his mother decided to call the police on him. Connor reflects on this decision with gratitude, recognizing that it was a brave choice that ultimately helped him turn his life around. He now dedicates his time to visiting schools and sharing his story with young people, hoping to inspire them to make positive changes in their own lives. Growing up in Newport, Wales, Connor faced many difficulties. He lived in a council estate and often felt angry and isolated. His father was absent from his life, and as a mixed-race teenager, he struggled to find his identity. Connor explained, 'It was just my mum, a single mum, white mum, and my father is black Jamaican. ' This lack of a father figure and the challenges of fitting in with his peers contributed to his feelings of frustration. As he entered his teenage years, Connor began to get into trouble with the law. The anger he felt inside him eventually led to the incident where he lashed out at his mother. He described the moment, saying, 'We were arguing and shouting. My anger erupted on my mum. ' After this incident, Connor experienced deep regret and wished he could take back his actions. Looking back, he admires his mother's courage for calling the police. He said, 'She didn't know what was going to happen to me when the police took me. But to have that courage to actually say 'something needs to happen because my son is off the rails,' I always look back at that courage. ' Now, at 32 years old, Connor vividly remembers sitting in the courtroom and seeing his mother there, pleading with the judge for leniency. Despite the pain she was going through, she still fought for him. His teachers at Lliswerry Comprehensive School also recognized his potential and advocated for him. Connor expressed his gratitude, saying, 'My mum, the teachers, they wrote a letter to the judge and asked for a suspended sentence. ' He often reflects on how different his life could have been without the support of those who believed in him. Connor believes that having people who support you during your lowest moments is incredibly empowering. He stated, 'To go through all of that and it culminating in you lashing out to have people at your lowest moment they still believe in you. that for me was huge. ' His love for writing began when his mother introduced him to books as a child. He particularly enjoyed the Harry Potter series, which allowed him to escape into different worlds. Additionally, he found inspiration in the stories told through grime and rap music. This passion for storytelling led him to create a play called The Making of a Monster, which explores themes of growing up, finding one's place in the world, and the dangers of losing control. Currently, Connor is working on a sequel titled Forgiveness of a Monster, where he delves into the theme of forgiveness, both for himself and for his absent father. Connor firmly believes in the power of second chances and aims to empower others to believe in themselves as well. He said, 'If I can give that gift of empowerment and belief then who knows what they can go on and achieve.