Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle star Nile Ranger sparks fury posing with a gun
ShareNewcastle striker Nile Ranger has sparked outrage after he was pictured posing as a 'gangster' holding a gun.[LNB]The 20-year-old was instantly questioned by the Barclays Premier League club who revealed the former London gang member expressed 'regret' over the photograph which has been meet with widespread dismay.[LNB] Loony Toon: The picture, which shows the London-born forward wearing a hooded top holding the silver handgun in front of his face, was taken at his home by his girlfriend[LNB]'Footballers are an example to young boys,' said disappointed Mothers Against Violence campaigner Patsy McKie, whose son was shot deadin Manchester.[LNB] 'He probably thought this was a bit of fun, but guns tear people's lives apart.'[LNB]Ranger, an England Under 19 international who came on as a substitute during Sunday's 2-2 draw at Stamford Brodge against Chelsea, was pictured with the firearm - said to be a replica - before a night out with his friends, according to The Sun.[LNB]The forward from north London had vowed to reform his ways having spent an 11-week period inside a young persons institute as 15-year-old over a mugging.[LNB]Speaking previously about his experience, he said: 'I started running with a gang. We were convicted of street robbery in Muswell Hill. There was a weapon but we didn't use it.[LNB] Outrage: Nile Ranger has provoked an angry reaction after posing with a gun[LNB]'Jail was pretty rough but it taught me a lot. The most important thing I learned is that I never want to go back.[LNB] 'Coming up to Newcastle has completely changed my life.'[LNB]But he let Newcastle down, the club who offered him a footballing lifeline when they rescued him from a life of potential crime in 2008, by posing as a 'gangster' holding the chrome gun.[LNB]'The club have spoken to Nile and can confirm that the item shown in the photograph is a replica firearm which is not an offence to own,' a club spokesman told The Sun.[LNB]'Nile regrets posing for the photograph, which was taken by his girlfriend at home.'[LNB] Chelsea 2 Newcastle 2: Carlo heads for the exit as Blues fall to a new lowFormer Newcastle winger Solano completes move to HartlepoolNewcastle move for Watford hot shot Graham in their hunt for strike powerAll the latest Newcastle news, features and opinion [LNB] Explore more:Places: Newcastle, Manchester, London
