AN author who battled his demons after a childhood of abuse in the care system has released a book telling his life story.

Paul Connolly, 56, of Billericay, has published his third book, Not Normal, which looks back on his young life when he was sent to St Leonard’s Children’s Home in Hornchurch at just two weeks old.

Paul tells the story of the physical, mental and sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of his carers, and until 25 he was illiterate.

Speaking about his story, Paul said: “I went through a massive transformation when I was young.

“When I was in that children’s home, I was bullied and battered and that happened all the time.

“For 20 years I had a death wish and I wanted people to put me out of my misery.

“I turned into a monster and it was not until I was older that I changed.”

Paul fell into a violent lifestyle and in 2000, he was in court facing a ten year prison sentence for grievous bodily harm and grievous bodily harm with intent.

After that moment, he started to change and left his violent past behind.

Paul is now married with two boys, Harley, 14 and Archie, nine.

After now after publishing three books and having a film, Six from Eight, set to be released, Paul is continuing to tell his story.

He said: “The film Six from Eight refers to the eight boys who were in my children’s home.

“Six of them committed suicide before 30 due to the abuse they suffered.

“I’m the only one left out of them who isn’t in prison or dead.

“In this film we are talking about a lifetime of events that happened to me.”

The film will star This is England and Being Human actor, Michael Socha, who will play an adult Paul in the film.

As well as telling his story, Paul has been working with the charity Beanstalk, which supports children and adults with specialist medical conditions, where he has raised thousands for the charity.

Six from Eight will be released this year.