Ryan Leggett was pictured in The Argus last week brandishing a knife and bragging about his court date on his web page.

The 15-year-old was a member of the Risky HQ gang which was responsible for nuisance and disorder across Brighton and Hove.

He now claims he is a reformed character who is focused on finishing his college brick-laying course.

Reporter ANDY WHELAN spoke to the teenager at his Hollingdean home ahead of a court appearance for affray and actual bodily harm.

Why did you get in touch with The Argus?
I want to have my say so people don't judge me. When I first saw it I thought it was quite funny then I thought people are going to judge me. I thought at first it was just a picture and I did laugh about it. I don't want people thinking I walk down the streets with a weapon and I'm going to stab them because I'm nothing like that.

What sort of things have you stopped doing?
Going into town, causing a lot of trouble, having fights, drinking alcohol and that. We used to have quite a few fights but I've stopped doing it now. Some were organised but some were just fights on the streets with random people. It's a teenage thing you do when you are young. When you drink, you go out and cause trouble and that, a bit show off.

Do you regret going out and causing trouble?
I don't really say I regret it. In a way I do and in a way I don't.

Why don't you regret it?
Because I have met so many people and if I didn't go out with them lot then I wouldn't know as many people as I do and would be stuck here in my house.

Do you regret any of the things you have done to people?
I can't say I do really. It's just a phase you go through in life.

Has anyone been injured, either your friends or others?
I can't say about the others because I've never stayed around. I know for what I'm getting done for now (in court) people got really badly hurt.

One geezer had big lumps coming out of his face.

What's the worst act of violence you have seen?
When people start stamping on someone's head.

How do you feel about the possibility of being sent down?
At the moment I don't really care. I do a little bit because I don't want to go because I know I'd miss it out here but I don't really care what happens to me. I have got two ways of living - one good and one evil. If I go to to prison I know I will end up schiz-ing out and leading the evil life.

Do alcohol and drugs play a part?
Alcohol does. Drugs don't to me because I don't really get aggressive when I do it. There was a different range of ages, from 15 up to 18, and there were always a few older ones who can get it. And there are always a few of us who can get served because we look older.

Do you end up causing trouble every time you go out with them?
I'd say half the time yes and half the time no. But it's not always us that start the fights. Because we always fight back we always get in trouble for it because they always think it's us.

Do you think the police have respect for young people?
I see it with my eyes that when I go up to town they don't have respect for any of us. There are a few good cops. Some of them want to be the top cop and decide to pick on us.

They come up to us and stop and search us, take our names, ask where we are going and stuff like that, even if we are not doing anything.

Do you think young people respect the police?
I would say no. From my view what I would say is I've never really liked them because every time they always pull me over and I've been nicked a few times for things like criminal damage when it wasn't me. They've just nicked me because I'm wearing the same clothes as other people. I've just matched the description. I don't really like the Government at all. They say they care about us but they don't really know how to make our country any better.

Are young people ashamed if they get Asbos or is it seen as a badge of honour?
For us lot to get in the paper we laughed about it and found it funny. I wouldn't be ashamed but I'd be annoyed I couldn't go to a certain place. If I got an Asbo I would be a bit p***ed off because I wouldn't be able to go out up town.

That is the main area where you go.

There are stories of attacks on foreign students. What is your view on that?
I've been there a few times when foreign students were attacked. I think with our lot none of us used to like foreigners. There was, like, hundreds of them coming into our country and they take our jobs and take our houses. If they come down we have them. I don't know why but we did.

Do you think young people should be helped rather than punished?
They should do more to help us. I reckon I've had a pretty hard life and because of that I don't really listen to people. I only listen to myself now. I've never liked anyone who tells me what to do.

How have you changed your ways?
I have had quite a few hard times in my life. When I got stressed out I have schiz-ed out and it has made me lose my head and I've harmed myself, tried to harm my face and that. Now I have started to mature a lot more. Now I have got court as well.

Why did you decide to change your ways?
At the end of the day there is no point going out causing trouble and that. You have got to learn from your mistakes eventually. I understand that I'm going to end up down that road and end up in prison. I've got court now as it is.

Are you going to get involved in crime again?
I have left that group and haven't really been out with them in ages.

My girlfriend comes round and a few of my mates come round as well. I just play on my XBox and listen to music. I go out now and then but only for certain things.