Joshua Visits Cousin in Prison, Plans to Turn His Life Around

 

World boxing champ Anthony Joshua has been visiting his gun smuggler cousin in jail — vowing to help turn his life around.

Sharriff Dacres, 24, got 14 years over a plot to smuggle weapons into the UK from Germany.

Dacres has had regular visits from “AJ” to Wandsworth Prison after he was jailed in October.

Joshua, 29, who grew up on a tough North London estate, insists on sitting in a general visitors’ room with no special treatment.

A source told The Sun: “AJ was devastated to find out about his cousin and is determined to help with his rehabilitation.

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“He is a down-to-earth guy who visits Sharriff all the time to make sure he knows he’s not forgotten.

“He turned his own life around, so seeing him lifts the inmates’ spirits. The prison staff encourage his visits as they have a positive impact on the prisoners.”

It is reported Dacres did not have an easy start in life and was housed in a youth homeless centre as a teen.

Now Joshua, who earned £15million after defeating Wladimir Klitschko last year, wants to ensure his fame is used to help those less fortunate.

He posted a Snapchat of a visit to Wandsworth last month.

The source added: “Obviously AJ wasn’t in the position he is in now to help Sharriff all those years ago – so now it is even more important to be there for him, as he would be for any member of his family.

“And it isn’t just his family, he wants to help other convicts as well.

“AJ has also made a private visit to Aylesbury Young Offenders’ Institution last year and held a session with inmates.”

Dacres, of Hemel Hempstead, Herts, was jailed with four other men who were part of a network responsible for smuggling dozens of firearms into the UK.