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Dick and his wife, Elaine |
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Dick's sons - Richard, Timmy and Simon |
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Crimes past
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In June 1940, 11-year-old Dick Pooley and his younger brothers Tommy, aged 7 and Charlie aged 5, were evacuated from their happy and loving family home in London to Torquay. It was a terrible period for the boys and one which Dick believes had a profound effect on the course of his life.
Dick turned to crime, at first petty, then increasingly more serious. Until 1971 he was in and out of prison and served a total of 20 years. His life changed when he began lecturing at Hull University where he met Elaine, who became his second wife. They have three sons and two grandchildren.
In the 70s Dick wrote a book about the story of his life as well as becoming involved with the rehabilitation of prisoners. For 30 years he ran a home for ex-convicts.
Dick, who is now 77, talked to Tom about his childhood and why he eventually turned away from crime.
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BBC Humber - Telling Lives
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