Hull's most notorious beggar has finally cleaned up his act. Street drinker John Martindale, 70, spent more than half a century living rough, shouting alcohol-fuelled abuse and striking fear into people across Hull and Beverley.
Martindale, known as "Bernie", has been given what is believed to be a record 141 Asbos and jail terms.
But in an exclusive interview with the Mail he claims to have now turned his life round – and vowed to win back the love of his life.
Martindale, who was released from prison earlier this year, said: "I never want to go back to that dark and horrible life when I lived on the streets. I was an angry man who liked a drink and I must apologise to everyone for the inconvenience I caused.
"I lost all self-respect very quickly. I was a different person after having a drink and not someone I look back on with pride.
"But times were tough for me. If people knew what it was like sleeping on the streets when the snow was falling – they would understand why I was like I was.
"I never slept in the winter because I couldn't feel my body in the freezing cold. That plays havoc on a man's mental state."
Martindale was banned from much of Beverley in 1994 for repeated antisocial behaviour.
He is believed to be one of the most prolific serial offenders in Britain. But Martindale claims his life was plunged into turmoil in 1961 with the sudden breakdown of his marriage. He and his wife had married just two months before.
"I cannot describe how devastated I was," said Martindale.
"Perhaps I married too early and I was naive.
"My wife was a beautiful woman and so intelligent. She was everything to me and we clicked the first day we met.
"When we broke up this wave of anger come over me.
"I packed my bags and left. Before I knew it, I was living on the streets and living with all that anger inside me.
"I still think about her every day. I still love her.
"I know this has taken more than 50 years, but I hope that by finally being a reformed character and by leading a cleaner life I can maybe win her back. I was never a major drinker before this happened and it turned my life upside down.
"It doesn't give me an excuse for some of the trouble I have caused but it is important people know the background."
Following a couple of weeks on the streets after walking out, Martindale claims to have joined the Royal Air Force.
After that failed, he was back on the streets and the height of his trouble with the law began.
The vast majority of his crimes have involved being drunk and disorderly in the streets.
On January 4, 2010, Martindale promised a judge at Hull Crown Court he would stay away from crime as part of his New Year's resolution. He lasted 14 days before being locked up again. He was released back into the community only to reoffend within days.
But following his recent spell behind bars, Martindale registered with Turning Point – a support centre for repeat criminals.
He is now living in accommodation close to Pearson Park in west Hull.
Martindale said: "I feel cleaner and happier than I have done since I was a kid. I just want to stay this way now."
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