Joe Jackson wanted to save sons from crime

Joe Jackson was a tough disciplinarian because he didn't want his children to end up in gangs, according to his son Jermaine.

Joe Jackson disciplined his kids to save them from a life of crime.

The showbiz patriarch managed his children Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael when they formed The Jackson Five in 1964 and although he is famous for his tough love, especially with the late singer Michael, Jermaine claims Joe was simply trying to save them from ending up in a gang.

Speaking about growing up in Gary, Indiana, Jermaine said: "We know how we were raised, we know the truth. We were raised no different from any other kids our age. We were disciplined the same as any other kids, back then kids had to be disciplined because if you didn't there were gangs waiting out there to embrace them.

"There were times when there were gangs outside and we had to stay in and turn off the lights. My father wanted to make sure that we stayed away from that lifestyle and stayed on the straight and narrow. We were raised to respect each other, respect our parents."

Jermaine also claimed Michael - who died of acute Propofol intoxication in June 2009 - was a gentle person, who just wanted to look after people less fortunate than himself.

Speaking on UK TV show 'Loose Women', he added: "Michael wasn't a complex character, he cared about people, he cared about starving children those less fortunate.

"I'm his brother, we're his family and we were there from day one. I know what kind of person Michael was."