from BBC

A convicted cocaine dealer has taken up a new role - dressing up as Santa Claus to entertain children on Teesside.
John Tams, from Cowgate, in Newcastle, has been working in a Christmas grotto at Port Clarence while on day release from Kirklevington Grange Prison.

Conservative Euro MP Martin Callanan said he should have spent longer in prison and the case made a mockery of the justice system.

The Home Office said prisoners on day release are thoroughly risk-assessed.

'Best Santa'

Tams, a father-of-four who has served 14 months of a five-and-a-half jail term for dealing drugs, said he wanted to give something back to the community which has helped turn his life around.

He said: "I decided we should build the grotto because all the young mums come in here every day with their little ones and we wanted to make it more Christmassy for them.

"The people know who I am and that I've done wrong in the past but have welcomed me with open arms. Now all I want is to have a Happy Christmas myself, with my family."

Mr Callanan said he applauded the efforts, but added: "He was given a long sentence because he committed a serious crime. Ideally he should serve the full term of that sentence."

The manager of the cafe where the grotto is based, Karen Evans, 38, said she and her customers loved what Tams had done.

She said: "The kids absolutely love it. And John is a lovely bloke. He's the best Santa I've ever seen."