Graham Seed was born April 28th, 1964. His home was in Ellerby Green, Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough.
Was soon re-named Gram by his grandmother. It stuck.
At age 9 (1973) he was caught stealing from the Newcastle House pub near his home.
Aged 16 – first sentence. Four months in Medomsley Detention Centre in County Durham for four breaking and entering offences.
Early 80’s joined the Front Line, Middlesbrough Football Club’s hooligan gang.
His body bears the marks of his past:
- West Ham – slashed under right eye with twin bladed craft knife
- Millwall – hit over head with blunt sword-type weapon
- Everton – chin slashed with craft knife
- Leeds – bitten by police dog
- Stabbed four times in arm and chest after home game versus Barnsley
- Bottle to the face nearly cost him his left eye after a home game against Spurs
- Numerous tattoos
Between 1980 and 1990 served four more jail terms:
- 6 months in Deerbolt YOI for breach of the peace during a football match
- 12 months in Deerbolt for affray and grievous bodily harm against Nottingham Forest
- 3 years and 11 months in Deerbolt then Durham Jail for GBH and causing affray
- Actual bodily harm to a police constable – 12 months in Durham jail, to run concurrent with previous conviction
1990 – left Teesside to start new life in Wakefield.
New Years Eve 1990, hit an undercover police officer. Sent to Armley Jail in Leeds for 2 years.
Christmas 1992 – Returned to Teesside upon release.
1993 – Holme House Prison, Stockton – 3 months for shoplifting.
Began living on bench outside Grange Road Post Office, Middlesbrough. A situation that was to last for more than two-and-a-half years.
By now he was alcoholic, drinking 28 pints of White Lightning cider a day, plus spirits. Also took cannabis, crack cocaine and heroin.
Attempted suicide by slashing wrists in winter of 1993. Saved by the police.
1995 – Holme House Prison, Stockton – 6 months for shoplifting.
August 9th, 1996 collapsed and was taken to South Tees Hospital (now The James Cook University Hospital) in Middlesbrough.
Was in a coma for 6 days – mother told to prepare for machine to be switched off.
In hospital for two months.
After seven weeks had to be taught to walk again.
When discharged he was certified blind.
Went on his first Alpha Course at the Oakwood Centre in Eaglescliffe on Teesside. Has now led well over a hundred such courses.
At 14.45 on November 9th, 1996 he welcomed Jesus into his life and wept with joy.
November 1998 – met Natasha at her church while attending a Bible College. Told her that it was unlikely he would ever be able to see her.
Less than a fortnight later he was praying and his sight returned.
He still has his certificate because the authorities refuse to accept his sight returned through the power of prayer. However he did get back his driving licence!
June 19th, 1999 – married Natasha. They now have two sons – Caleb and Boaz.
February 2007 – Sowing Seeds Ministries registered by the Charity Commission.
Has attended the funerals of 48 former friends over last ten years.
At the beginning of April 2007 there were 80,316 men and women in jail. Capacity is 80,498. The latest statistics are on the H. M. Prison Services website – go to the Resource Centre, Publications and Documents then open Population Figures.