A FORMER millionaire who spent six years in the toughest prison in America used his extraordinary story to warn Westcliff youngsters of the dangers of drugs.

Shaun Atwood, now 43, was sent to Arizona jail in 2002 for hosting drug-fuelled raves at his mansion and dealing ecstasy.

Mr Atwood spoke to pupils at Westcliff High School for Boys, urging them not to make the same mistakes as him.

He said: “I thought I was above the law, but it always catches up with you one way or another.”

Shaun was an intelligent economics pupil who excelled at school and university in Cheshire.

He made his fortune while still in his twenties after moving to America in 1991 to start a career on the stock market.

He believes his education, upbringing and normal appearance which enabled pupils at the school, to connect with him and listen to his warnings.

Shaun said: “I was like them, I had all these aspirations. People say that prison is your way of repaying your debt to society, but for me it is coming and talking to these kids.”

His aunt smuggled writings of his experiences out of the jail to set up the first ever prison blog.

Jonathan Bleakley, one of the teachers at the school, said: “Shaun was in a similar position to the boys here; bright, ambitious and intelligent. They think it is not going to happen to them, but it has been a warning.”

Shocked pupils gasped as they were shown vivid images of the disgusting conditions in the bus shelter sized cells, which housed three prisoners, and the horrific injuries of inmates injured or killed in gang wars.

Shaun said: “The cells were so infested with cockroaches you just couldn’t sleep at night and it gave me a nervous breakdown.”

The prisoners were split into racially divided gangs, and Shaun was instantly approached by the Aryan Brotherhood because of his pale skin.

He said: “You have to follow their rules or they’ll kill you. The gang members are constantly looking for people to beat up and are rewarded with tattoos to show their power for every person they manage to kill. If you are in there for crimes against women and children or sex offences then they are going to try and murder you.”

Drama students were chosen to act out some of Shaun’s real-life experiences in genuine prison outfits from America, but were more determined then ever to not make the same mistakes as the former millionaire.

Leo Connell, 15, said: “His story is remarkable, and it is definitely a case of using shock tactics. When people are young they will try anything but now we have heard the real consequences of what could happen.”

To find out more about Shaun’s story visit www. shaunattwood.com