by Anna White

An armed robber who spent more than eight years behind bars has flushed away his troubled past to tap into a new future.

Lee Saunders was jailed in 2004 for his involvement in a string of London raids on security vans, betting shops and other targets.

After serving six years in prison, the 37-year-old has secured a contract to refurbish the toilet blocks at MidKent College’s Maidstone campus.

The reformed criminal studied plumbing at the Oakwood Park college while serving his sentence at HMP Stanford Hill, in Sheppey. He was granted day release to attend classes and completed two stages of the course.

Mr Saunders said: “I’m not proud of what I did and I held my hands up as soon as I got nicked. Going to prison was the wake-up call I needed, and it made me realise where I’d gone wrong in life.

“Having my studies to focus on has turned my life around really. I’ve come out of prison a different person. If you help yourself then people will help you, and that’s what happened.”

The now-trained tradesman, who was released in July, is originally from Ealing, West London, but plans to move to Maidstone.

He is taking a year out of studying to readjust to life outside of his cell.

Mr Saunders hopes to complete the third stage of the qualification in the near future.

Assistant principal Jill Edwards said: “Lee is an outstanding example of somebody who has taken advantage of the educational opportunities available to him and turned his life around.

“He can now look forward to a brighter future thanks to the drive and determination he has shown towards his studies.

“MidKent College believes everyone deserves a second chance for an education, and we are proud to count Lee as one of our many success stories.”