Smith himself did not convert immediately he was asked to because he says he’s not the type to “jump on a bandwagon when it comes to God.” Instead he took his time and eventually, in 2007, came to the conclusion that Islam was for him. I never hated [Leroy], I certainly didn't like him. But I didn't hate him because it wasn't personal. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Accordingly, one of the most poignant parts of the book actually comes right at the end, when Smith’s own daughter gives her candid thoughts: Out of the Box is an excellent read, a brutally honest account of the making of a criminal, which pulls no punches, or makes excuses, just says it as it was. This is a fascinating and valid account of the cost to society when young, damaged lives are not repaired. It deserves to be very widely read. Now out of the box and free, Leroy Smith is setting out on a new and straighter path. I wish him every success. He has more than paid his dues.’ When I came out the second time, my ex-partner really got my mind opened and thinking, it’s because of her that I made it. She was challenging me about some things and making me look at [others] differently.” We have seven newsletters you can currently sign up for - including a different one for each part of London, as well as an EastEnders one for all the gossip from Albert Square, and a London Underground one to keep you up to date on the latest transport news.Mr Smith’s book about his life was read by the former officer he shot, who reached out and said he wanted to meet with him. When you bust it, you feel that power. Only those who have fired a gun know what it feels like. It's cold." He said: “As they were struggling on the floor I saw Leroy pull a handgun out of his waistband and hit Simon in the leg, as he fired it.”

I know this sounds cruel or whatever, but people trying to kill people shoot [for] their head,” he continued. “When you shoot people in their leg, that's not trying to kill them, that’s slowing them down so you can do what you want to do.” When he encountered the policemen in 1993 he was on the run from jail having escaped while being transferred from Leicester to Brixton Prison under arrest for gun charges.

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The unlikely friendship has blossomed into something incredibly powerful and both men now regard the other as a friend. Every police officer has to watch video the story of restorative justice , with me and James because the probabilities are that he is going to become a victim in the line of duty and he has to know how to deal with it,” Mr Smith added.

But from the moment they met both were assured of the other's intentions, James said he could tell straight away that Leroy regretted what he did. Manchester pop biographer John Robb said: "Sweet Sensation were absolutely massive for a while in the Seventies.

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He believes the only reason he survived his time in prison was because of the “mutual respect” that was shown between the prisoners. That awareness could well have saved his life several years later when he and a colleague spotted suspicious activity around a hire-car vehicle. Mr Smith, then 25, was jailed for two years for that escape, 18 years for a firearms offence, and five years for robbery. He was given a 25-year sentence for attempting to murder PC Seymour and 18 years for wounding PC Carroll in the same incident. Eventually Smith got arrested and did time in prison, but he managed to escape custody by holding a knife to an officer’s throat while being transported from one jail to another.

Leroy Smith is a writer, mentor and motivational public speaker who directs his talks at young people who might be heading down the wrong path in life. He has given talks describing his experiences at City University London, numerous schools, colleges and youth centres around the country.When you live that life, all that stuff, no matter what it looks like, in the end, it will all get destroyed and vanish from you,” he added. A FORMER drug dealer who shot two police officers is now friends with one of them and together they are working to stop young people from turning to crime. Through the Victim Support charity, James had been keeping tabs on Leroy's life and, out of natural curiosity, read his book that detailed a life growing up in 1980s Brixton after his mother had been murdered when he was just two years old.