William Nichols had a long time to think while serving a 17-month prison sentence for drug dealing. The stretch gave him chance to re-evalute his life and plot a future away from crime. That's when he decided to reinvent himself as a male escort ... but with "no funny stuff". He told KM Group reporter Hayley Robinson about his plans.

Before William was sent to prison in February last year, his life had been in a downward spiral. He had a job but after falling in with a bad crowd he started dealing cocaine in a bid to make a quick buck.

It was only while the 30-year-old was in prison that he realised the errors of his ways and vowed never to go back to his old life when he was released.

During his prison sentence at HMP Pentonville, London; HMP High Point, Suffolk, and HMP Standford Hill, Sheppey, William achieved an NVQ qualification in IT and AS Levels in English and maths.

He also began a part-time Open University degree in psychology – which he is still working towards.

But it was a talk given by a representative from the North Kent Enterprise Gateway at Standford Hill which inspired him to start his own business as a male escort following his release in July this year.

He said: “Running my own business is something I’ve always wanted to do.

“I decided to start a male escort business as I know I could be good at it and I think it could be quite a lucrative business. I know people in the past who have done it and I don’t normally have a problem with the ladies.

“It’s called Choice1 Escorts and it’s for women of all ages who need companionship or a chaperone to functions or events – there’s no funny stuff, I want it to be a reputable business. It’s aimed at busy career-minded women in big cities.

“My hope is that once I’m established I’ll recruit others and I’ll run the business side of things. I’m confident it will work.

“Professional, prompt and principled is my mission statement.

“If I’m asked about my background I won’t lie - there’s no gain in that and it’s not right.

“I spoke to my mum about it and she is pleased as are a couple of people I have met along the way. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

William, who is from Essex, but moved to Sheerness when he was released from Standford Hill, says he is 'embarrassed’ about his old life.

He said: “I don’t want to live that life again, that’s why I didn’t move back to Essex.

“While in prison I realised what I was doing was wrong. I was effectively profiting off other people’s misery and what I was doing wasn’t just affecting the person I was dealing to but also that person’s family - it breaks families apart.

“It’s going to take me five years to complete but when I finish my degree I would like to eventually become a drugs counsellor as I think I can be sympathetic towards people.

“I don’t expect people to welcome me with open arms but at the same time I believe I should be allowed a second chance.”