A FORMER troublemaker has turned his life around to become a role model for young people in Oxford.

Jamie Bourton spent four years hanging around Rose Hill with his friends, where they indulged in drink, drugs and petty vandalism.

Mr Bourton was arrested on more than a couple of occasions, but decided to knuckle down and get a permanent job after the birth of his son 20 months ago.

Now, 19-year-old Mr Bourton, from Rowan Grove, Blackbird Leys, has secured a job as a part-time assistant youth support worker at Rose Hill youth club.

He plans to become a full-time youth worker and has already completed a Football Association level one coaching qualification and taken part in a Rotary youth leadership award.

Mr Bourton said his background had helped him deal with some young people in Rose Hill who were stealing money for drugs or drinking at a young age.

He said: "I know a lot of the young people already, and I think it's easier for them to talk to someone who they've known for years.

"I think a lot of people would rather talk to me than another worker."

Mr Bourton said he had started to get into trouble while living in Dashwood Road, Rose Hill, as an 11-year-old.

He said: "I've been arrested a few times for criminal damage and non-dwelling burglary.

"We used to go round stealing stuff and throw stones. A lot of young people when I was growing up took drugs and stuff like that."

But when his girlfriend became pregnant with their son, Lewis, Mr Bourton said his life changed.

He said: "It didn't really hit me until he was born and then I knew I had to change things. I wanted him to have a better life."

Mr Bourton attended Rose Hill youth club as a teenager, and volunteered at the youth club over the summer, before the club funded his FA qualification and took him on as a permanent employee three months ago.

Mr Bourton said: "I think I'm a good example to young people that you can get out and do something good."

Club sports development worker Adam French said: "The feedback from young people has been great since Jamie started, because they know him and his family.

"They feel comfortable talking to him, knowing that he's had a similar upbringing to them."