DCI Dickon Turner, head of Offender Management, Avon and Somerset ConstabularyI have had the pleasure of working with Michael since 2019, when he volunteered with us on a week-long project aimed at supporting young people struggling to engage in school. Michael’s lived experience is invaluable, and he has a remarkable ability to share his powerful story in a sensitive and trauma-informed manner. He has since been asked to support individuals who are educated within a Bristol pupil referral unit and has been volunteering with the Blunt Truth team.
Ellen Campbell, Youth Project and Engagement Coordinator for Avon and Somerset Police
Hearing Micheal’s account was a wake-up call. Knife crime is not a distant issue or something happening ‘somewhere else.’ It’s happening in communities everywhere. This experience has made me reflect on how important it is to listen.
Hayley George, Youth project and engagement co-ordinator (BANES, North Somerset)
Michael supported in delivering an engaging and impactful knife crime workshop to the Robins Foundation BTEC sport students in March 2025, as part of the Blunt Truth initiative with Avon and Somerset Police. His ability to connect with young people through honest discussions and real-life experiences was invaluable. The session was both informative and thought-provoking, equipping participants with a deeper understanding of the consequences of knife crime.
Nathan Fagg, Teaching Assistant, The Robins Foundation
In September 2019 I watched Michael speak very passionately to a group of young about his own experience as a victim of knife crime and as someone who has been to prison. The youngsters were engaged and interested throughout and asked questions at the end. Michael did not glorify his experiences but eloquently described the effect it had had on him and translating that to lessons for the young people about making positive choices in their lives. His manner was honest and down to earth – the young people definitely listened intently and seemed to absorb the important messages Michael delivered. I would recommend Michael for diversionary activity with young people.
Since September 2019 I have worked closely with Michael on a number of youth diversionary programmes and I have witnessed first-hand the impact Michael’s talks have on all those fortunate enough to hear it. Michael gives a very open and honest account of his life which focusses upon ‘choices and consequences’, it is clear that Michael wants young people to learn from the mistakes he has made and get all those who listen to understand that making positive choices will lead to positive outcomes. Michael is hugely charismatic and he engages fantastically well with young people, his own experiences as a victim of knife crime is incredibly powerful and gives a very personal perspective on the subject. I genuinely hope that Michael continues to get opportunities to deliver his messages to young people about the dangers of knife crime, making positive choices as those who really listen to what Michael has to say will benefit hugely from him.
PC 2544 Kris WITHERS, Youth Strategy Officer, Avon and Somerset Constabulary
I was impressed by Michael when he spoke to 12 young people regarding knife crime and violence – it was apparent that they were affected by his impactful presentation. It is a memory that I will carry with me for many years about how lives can be turned around.
Sue Mounstevens, Police & Crime Commissioner for Avon & Somerset
My name is Jon Kay. I’m a correspondent for BBC national news, based in Bristol. I met Michael in September 2019 while I was recording a series of reports about knife crime for Radio 4’s “Today” programme. Michael was a guest contributor to a pioneering scheme for young people, run by Avon and Somerset Police. The session he held for about 20 teenagers was remarkable to witness. He clearly had a huge impact on his audience. He spoke powerfully – and in shocking detail – about his own experiences. It was striking to see the extent to which the young people related to Michael – and respected him. His heartfelt message was delivered with clarity, passion and empathy. He understood the specific needs of individual members of the audience – and he tailored his message and his style to each of them in turn, taking time to chat with them on a one-to-one basis as well as in a wider group. Some of the young people came from troubled backgrounds and had struggled for years with authority and education, but they told me that, in Michael, they found someone they respected and would listen to.
Jon Kay, BBC News Correspondent
I am a circuit judge and was appointed 12 years ago and sit at the Bristol Crown Court. I was appointed 11 years ago as the Diversity and Community Relations Judge for Avon and Somerset. As part of my role as a Diversity judge I devised and run a number of different styles of outreach courses including one described as the “Judicial Awareness Day” for the inner-city schools in socially deprived areas, and “a Law Taster day” which I have persuaded two of the universities in Bristol to run targeting students from those inner-city schools to encourage them to consider further education in the law by giving them a real feel what being in law involves. These courses are highly interactive days which require the students to interact with people they do not know or with whom they are not friends.I take special note of the effects of certain effective techniques in this process.
As part of my local involvement I was invited by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary to join them in a weeks programme to tackle anti knife crime .This involved a group of children from two schools in the Bristol area .All were chosen because of their particular social and family circumstances and friendship groups as being vulnerable to association directly or indirectly with knife crime.
One of the persons present was Mike Stew whom I had not met before this programme. His background history and purpose in being on the course was not explained to the group of children or me.
Mike’s interaction with the group was quiet, friendly and the group engaged well with him throughout. The week involved both direct and indirect participation in the events and investigation of a fictional stabbing. This included forensic examination and interviewing witnesses and a suspect.
I wrote and created a criminal trial event which the group heard as a trial and retired as a jury to decide the verdict on the fourth day using a courtroom at UWE .The week was recorded by the BBC and broadcast on Radio 4.
On the final morning when it was plain the whole group of children were engaged and affected by a number of features of the week, it was Mike’s moment to address the whole group.
His speech concerning his life, criminal experiences and thought processes were relayed with clarity, passion and huge effect. The tragic consequences for friends and relatives was described with full effect .The honesty and clarity of his own description of his darkest hour when by chance he cheated death in a stabbing was accepted with shock and insight by the group. The reality that he now lives each day haunted by the events and the ongoing medical and psychological effects was expertly delivered.
The fight to change the thought processes of the potential teen knife carrying children and those who live in daily silent fear of knives is a long one. The speech delivered by “Mikey” as he was known to all throughout the week ,struck a major note in their comprehension of the dangers and effects of those who carry knives but also those who keep quiet about those who do. This talk was an essential and valuable piece of the attempt by all present to unbuckle the thoughts processes of these children .I am in no doubt each was touched by the genuine care and effort of all involved .
Yours sincerely
His Honour Judge Horton