Last week we presented in the Telegraph & Argus the case of a career criminal who had racked up almost 600 offences over a 50-year career... but still managed to avoid jail when in court for the latest crimes.

Compare that with the case of Lee Hickey. By his own admission, he is not what anyone could call lily-white – Mr Hickey has served a prison sentence for his own wrong-doing.

But now he says he wants to turn his life around and join the armed forces – but top brass have turned him down due to his criminal past.

It is of course right that the Army exercises some measure of caution on who it admits to its ranks.

But perhaps the admissions policy needs to be a little more flexible and cases such as this looked at with fresh eyes.

Mr Hickey says he is a reformed character and wants to give something back by serving his country.

As anyone with family or friends in the armed forces knows, serving Queen and Country is certainly no easy ride today.

With many men and women posted to war-torn Afghanistan, those who join up are rightly lauded.

If a man like Mr Hickey wants to put his past behind him and turn over a new leaf, then perhaps the Army could give him the discipline he needs to take his life forward and look to the future.