Jerry

By David Anglin

They say Britain is in a crime epidemic that hasn’t been seen for a decade. Knife crimes up. Gun crimes up. Violent robberies are up.
But for those of us who have worked with young people and those in need. We’ve seen this coming for a long time.
We’ve seen first hand the effects of austerity measures. We’ve seen with our own eye's the rise in families who need food banks. Who’s day to day living has vastly changed, and with this change their children have changed. Becoming a little bit harder a little bit colder. Willing to go that much further to get them out of poverty. Usually motivated by money but easily turned and wrapped up into a lifestyle with other young people who look, act and are from the same environments as them. Corrupted by the corrupted.
These changes have been happening slowly year upon year with the effects only now being felt in the wider community.
My book Jerry is based on real-life scenarios and gives a take on what its like as professionals working with young offenders involved in drug dealing, stabbings, shootings and acid attacks, and the issues that many of them have going on in the background. But which no one reports on.
My hopes are that from reading this story it'll encourage a community discussion, that will help implement changes to bring opportunities for young people and break a destructive cycle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Anglin
• Release date: Oct 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370531868

David Anglin

For the past 9 years David Anglin has spent his time actively working with young offenders from some of the most troubled backgrounds. During this time he has gained much insight and experiences into the complex issues faced by those in the criminal justice system. Academically he completed a degree in Psychology but his real experience and learning came from the university of Life and from the many characters he's met along this journey. Characters ranging from London's criminal underground to passionate business men and women who all have a burning ambition for a better life. With these influences David has been able to create vivid characters articulated into words that when read immediately shine through with authenticity and realism. His greater hopes is that from his writing deeper conversations will be made that really delves deep into the difference between those who have and those who don't, and what can be done to bridge the gap between this ever increasing divide. If you'd like to view more of his thoughts or artwork or to just contact him in general the best place to reach him is http://www.davidanglin.co.uk

Book preview

Jerry

DAVID ANGLIN

JERRY

By David Anglin

Copyright (©) 2017 David Anglin

http://www.davidanglin.co.uk

A Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved.

Forewords

To the world,

It takes a community to raise a child. For better or for worse…

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Forewords

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Image: Community Reasons

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Epilogue

About the Author

Prologue

MELANIE woke up in a cold sweat as her body trembled from the vividness of her dream. Or nightmare would be a more accurate way to describe it.

Though awake now, she couldn’t shake off how real it’d felt. How scared she’d been when the man with no face, other than shiny white teeth, had her trapped. In her room. In her former place of sanctuary.

When thunder had rumbled from outside and shook the house her very core trembled. Worse still was when lightening struck. Splitting the very heavens in a flash of brilliant blue. Revealing more of the grinning monster. Its high cheekbones. Its chiselled chin. It was handsome, but resonated an evil aura.

Tears came to her eyes as she remembered how she’d begged for it to just leave her alone. But it advanced. Taking no notice of her pleas, that she was only 11, that she had nothing to give... Instead it grinned wider. Showing more of its teeth.

As it got closer all she could do was cower in a corner. Huddled next to her teddy bear with the white fur and red ribbon. She’d always imagined Teddy as her big furry bodyguard. Her personal protector.

How wrong she’d been. The grinning demon simply dashed Teddy to one side. Stepping on it, towering over her. Its massive shoulders blocking out any light and casting a long shadow over her.

Shaking she looked up, and this time its face was fully revealed. She saw the face of Jerry. The face of her son. Reaching for her, with massive hands. She let out a scream – it was the scream that had woken her from her nightmare in a cold sweat.

It was only a dream she tried to reassure herself, but she knew that was a lie. Although the events were warped by the dream, they had happened. So long ago, when she was so, so young. Her life forever changed. Her innocence forever tainted.

She felt around, noticing the warm body laying next to her. A man’s body. Naked. Right now though she couldn’t think who he was. Or how he got here. Her mind was a mess, cloudy from the dream. Cloudy from life. All days seemingly rolled into one long battle against depression. The only peace she found was in warm flesh and gift of cocaine highs. To ease the numbness and help the days roll by.

She reached for the bedside table, feeling for the little bottle of Hennessey that she knew would be there. She picked up the three sleeping pills left on the side, popped them into her mouth, washing them down with a massive gulp that warmed her chest.

Laying back she tried to close her eyes but all she saw were visions of darting shadows. Shadows that morphed into images of a shadowy man. With large shoulders. Always smiling. Smiling with the face of her son.

She rolled over into another dream. Back to being just a child. A child who was so skinny. Who had such slender arms. Slender legs. But such a pretty face.

Comments about her natural beauty became normal for her, but one commenter remained consistent. Persistent even. Always telling her what a beautiful face she had. How long her legs were. How full her lips were. How she could/would make a man very happy.

Her young brain just couldn’t workout how the man who openly praised