A former convict claims he should be allowed to join the army after serving his time behind bars and turning over a new leaf.

Lee Hickey, 26, of Bierley, told the Telegraph & Argus how he was jailed for three and a half years in 2004 for burglary and came out after serving 22 months.

During his time inside Mr Hickey, who has also been convicted for other offences including taking a car without consent, said he thought a lot about his future and how he had always wanted to become a soldier.

He recently applied but was turned down.

Mr Hickey said he would appeal. “Basically I just want to join on the front line as an infantry soldier,” he said. “I wanted to do it when I was younger but I ended up doing a few wrong things, getting on the wrong track, and I ended up in prison.”

Mr Hickey said he committed his offences during a period of about eight to 12 months he spent homeless, but had changed his ways, particularly since the birth of his daughter Georgia, now aged three.

He said: “I’m wanting to work for this country. Fair enough, I have been to jail and done a bad thing, but I have served my time and it was a long time ago. Everybody deserves a second chance.”

An Army spokesman said: “We are governed by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. We will look at their history within our guidelines. Minor offences do not necessarily prevent someone joining the Army.

“Depending on the severity of the offence, the Army can impose a waiting period before an application can be considered.

“If someone has received a custodial sentence in excess of 30 months for a criminal offence they will not usually be able to enlist.”