A convicted drug dealer, burglar and armed robber has just been appointed as a new vicar in Carlisle.

The Rev Matt Martinson truanted from school at the age of 12, turned to drink and drugs and got involved in petty crime.

Before long his crimes had escalated to selling drugs, burglary and ultimately an armed raid on a post office in York.

He was jailed in 1995 for 11 years. But in prison he became a Christian and felt called to become a vicar.

He began retraining on his release after four years and was ordained in 2010.

Matt is currently vicar of St John’s Bransholme in east Hull and will move to

Carlisle with his family next month.

His new post will be priest in charge of Carlisle Holy Trinity and St Barnabas Team Ministry and priest in charge of St Luke’s.

Police had eventually caught up with Matt after he was involved in a car crash while visiting a friend in Carlisle – close to where he will soon be ministering.

The vicar, 44, recalled: “At that time I blamed God for everything that had gone wrong in my life.

“As far as I was concerned it was his fault.

“When I was alone in the police cell after my arrest I felt God’s presence and I said ‘Yes’ to him.

“Immediately so much of the anger and hurt I had bottled up was taken from me. It was amazing.”

He added: “I remember being in prison and hearing God say to me: ‘One day you will be a vicar.’

“I burst out laughing saying: ‘Didn’t you hear what the judge has sentenced me to?’

“But it was amazing to grow as a disciple while in prison. I left there knowing what it was to be a Christian and to follow God.

“The day before I was freed I sent myself a card saying: ‘Don’t forget Jesus because he is the one who has got you through all of this.’”

While studying theology Matt woke one morning to find he had no feelings in his legs. He is now a full-time wheelchair user.

He said: “I feel very sad about my past life because of all the people I have hurt. If there was some way I could apologise to them, then I would.

“I understand that would probably mean nothing to them because I ruined people’s lives.

“I struggled to understand how God could forgive me, but one day there was a sudden realisation that he had. The sense of relief was enormous.

“It gives hope that no matter what you may have done in the past there is a loving God to turn to.”

Matt is married to Haley and they have 19-year-old son, Seth. Bishop of Carlisle the Rt Rev James Newcome said: “We are delighted to welcome Matt and his family to their ministry in the city of Carlisle.

“His story demonstrates the amazing healing power that God offers up to us all through his love and grace.”