A FORMER police officer who served time in prison for arson, says he is turning his life around and wants to be able to forgive himself.

Alan Glasby, 68, was jailed in January last year after causing a fire at a York hotel and released at the end of March.

Now, he says he is so grateful for everyone at the Arclight Centre, Yacro and Restore, for helping him get back on his feet after prison, he intends to write a book of poetry and stories about his experiences in prison, to help raise money for charity.

He told The Press he became an alcoholic following the death of his 11-year-old son Stephen from a brain tumour in 1998, and had struggled to cope with his loss. While working as a mental health orderly in York, Alan said he was “keeping busy and keeping bad thoughts at bay”, but after being assaulted by a patient during a restraint, he felt unable to continue to work.

Alan said: “He was like a surrogate son to me, and mentally that really hurt me. I took early retirement at the age of 62, and that’s when the trouble started.

“I tried to keep busy, doing charity work in shops around York, but the drink took over and became so bad I was drinking sometimes more than a bottle of vodka a day. I nearly died about three years ago as a result of the alcohol, I hadn’t eaten for about two weeks and finished up in hospital for a week being detoxed.”

York Press:

Alan's son, Stephen, who died at the age of 11.

Alan lost his flat while in hospital, as his private landlord was unhappy with the state he had left it in, and he took to stealing food from supermarkets to survive, eventually receiving a community order. In August 2016, he was homeless, but still had a little money in his bank account so paid for two nights at the Park Inn in North Street. He fraudulently stayed for two more nights, until he set fire to his bed while smoking in the room at about midday after drinking about a bottle and a half of vodka.

Alan said he remembered seeing smoke drift out the window as the hotel was evacuated, and being grateful for the quick arrival of the emergency services.

He said: “Staff pointed me out and I was arrested. Thank God the fire service came promptly. I would never have forgiven myself if anyone had been hurt or killed. There were families and kids in that hotel.”

Alan said the fire was accidental, but admitted arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, three offences of making hoax 999 calls and one of fraud over his hotel bill and was jailed for three years and four months.

He ended up serving about 14 months, and said the experience has brought about a huge change in his outlook and his life.

While inside, he took art and design classes, and worked on poetry, drawings, paintings and other writing which he hopes to collect into a book to raise money for Candlelighters, a charity which helps children with cancer.

He said: “I was absolutely scared witless when I first went in. In Hull they put me on D Wing, and years ago they used to hang people there. You can feel the vibes, it was so scary.”

“Prison straightened me out. I always knew I was going to end up there, but sincerely believe everything happens for a reason. God helped me get through it and Stephen was all around me and helped me get through it as well.”

Alan was released from prison on March 31, and is now living at the Arclight Centre where he said people were hugely supportive and where he continues to work on his book.

He said: “I fell out with God big time when Stephen died, and found him again in the prison chapel. I know he’s forgiven me for what I’ve done. I still haven’t forgiven myself, but I’m working on it.

“I haven’t forgiven myself yet, as I know I have hurt a lot of people. My sister and brother who stood by me in the dark days before I hit bottom, I let them down badly, I really did. I’ve still got some serious bridges to rebuild. I love them both so much and I know they love me.”