A CELTIC fan revealed yesterday how he got a job cleaning Rangers stadium and their training ground – thanks to millions of pounds seized from criminals.
Young offenders and people at risk of entering the criminal justice system are benefitting from an incredible £130million recovered from the Proceeds of Crime Act – with £20million of that being pumped into the Cashback for Communities scheme.
And Darren Price, 22, from Pollok, Glasgow, told how he landed his first job at Ibrox and Murray Park after a training course through the Rangers Charity Foundation.
The 27-year-old from Pollok, Glasgow, said: “I struggled with anxiety and my confidence at school and college and never thought I’d get a job. But coming here last year changed my life.
“I did the course and then Rangers took me on. So I now clean Ibrox and the training centre, doing the night shift, getting it clean for all the players coming in the morning.
“I’ve seen all the players a few times. I’m a Celtic fan. They all know I’m a Celtic fan but we have a bit of banter about it.”
While Courtney Kimmins, 23, only had her electronic tag removed last year, after she was caught carrying a knife, but has now ended up with a job working hospitality at Celtic Park and Hampden Stadium.
She says: “I had given up hope. But now I love my job. I really like serving and chatting to people.”
And Declan Mackay told how the Foundation helped to unlock a job for him at Timpsons after his 18 months in Barlinnie for serious assault.
The 27-year-old, also from Pollok, Glasgow, said: “I was not long out of Barlinnie and struggled to get a job because of my criminal record.
“I got referred to the Foundation and they helped me get an interview with Timpsons.
“I never thought I could cut keys, fix shoes or work with a cash register or computers for that matter, but I passed my trade test and I haven’t looked back since and that was two years ago.”
The SNP’s Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown said: “Of course it is also very important we take the victims into consideration for everything we do.
“But if I was a victim of crime I personally would like to see someone reformed and moving on with their life, especially if they’re young. So I would hope the victims would see this as a positive project.”