New role for diamond ring beggar

Mr Pockett says his new role has helped turn his life around

A former homeless man convicted of supplying heroin said becoming a Big Issue seller has helped him get off the streets.

Tim Pockett was sleeping rough in and around Shrewsbury, Shropshire, but now he co-ordinates the other vendors in the town and has a home there.

The 46-year-old said it has made a "tremendous" difference to his life.

He was allowed to keep a £500 diamond solitaire ring which was put in his bowl while he was begging last year.

Since selling the magazines, he said he ensures that the vendors are behaving correctly, are not under the influence of any substances and are wearing new fluorescent-orange jackets.

'Everything going well'

"It has made a tremendous difference. I've been selling it for the last 12 months and I've come a long way since then.

"I have got my own place and everything is going well," he said.

Mr Pockett was outside a branch of Marks and Spencer in Shrewsbury in May last year when a passer-by donated the ring to him.

He handed it in to police but as nobody claimed the item, believed to be an engagement ring, within 28 days, he was allowed to keep it.

In September he was given a 12-month suspended sentence after admitting being concerned in the supply of heroin.

He was also made subject of a drug treatment and rehabilitation order.