AS arguments rage between Government and church ministers over the business of crime and punishment, a Bolton man told a court how he was threatened by two former drug addict friends.

They tied him up, gagged him and kicked him before robbing his flat and threatening to return and throw him to his death should he complain to police.

The man did complain and the drug cowards were each jailed for three years. What we need are fewer vocal ministers and more vocal prosecution witnesses brave enough to take the stand.

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