"Thirteen-year-old Sajid is sitting in a police station with his younger brother Bas, who went on to become one of Britain's most senior police officers, after they'd been caught red-handed swindling an amusement park. It's an astonishing Sliding Doors moment when you can see the future banker and politician becoming trapped in a life of scuzzy, low-level crime. Eight-year-old Javid (left) in Rochdale with his cousin Rozina (8) and brother Tes (4). Photograph: Courtesy of Sajid Javid"
"Right, you little Paki bastards, I know you've been ripping me off,' he crouched to get as close to our faces as possible. You've been stealing from the machines. If you weren't kids I'd kick the shit out of you, but I've called the police instead. They're on their way and you're going to jail, you little fuckers.' The boys were arrested and held in a cell."
Sajid Javid grew up on a dangerous street and experienced arranged marriages, savage beatings, and juvenile misconduct. As a teenager he and his younger brother Bas discovered how to cheat amusement arcade fruit machines with a J-shaped piece of wire and opened a savings account with the proceeds. Arcade staff caught them; an employee threatened them, the police were called, they were arrested and held in a cell, confessed, and had their winnings confiscated. The police gave them bus fare home, where their father beat them. Bas later became a senior police officer while Sajid pursued banking and politics.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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