A former graffiti pest and one-time trouble-maker took to the streets of Southend to help promote a survey on Christians in the town.

Karl Sims, 22, used to spray graffiti on trains, walls, and shop fronts until he became a Christian and changed his ways.

Holy message - Karl Sims is using his graffiti skills to promote his newly-found faith Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

Now he uses his creative talents within the law and the parking attendant from Southchurch has created a bright 10ft by 6ft piece of graffiti art based on his new-found religious beliefs.

Karl said: "I used to be a bit of a yob, spraying graffiti, getting drunk and smoking cannabis."

Karl said he started helping out at Fair Havens Hospice, in Westcliff, and began having debates with a driver there about the existence of God.

The driver challenged him to say a prayer, which he did.

He said he took Ecstasy one night and claimed it nearly killed him. Afterwards, he went on top of a balcony, looked to the sky and said he was sorry for what he had done.

Karl said he began to change, told the driver about his new beliefs and began to attend King's Church, based at Leigh community centre, in Elm Road, Leigh.

Members from the church carried out a survey in the High Street, Hamlet Court Road, Leigh Road and Broadway over the weekend to see what percentage of the town is Christian.

Published Tuesday, June 3, 2003

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