THE criminal justice system must be supported by all right-minded, law-abiding citizens if it is to be effective.

But there is surely something wrong when people who are willing to help the police end up in jail themselves.

Sajid Hussain, a man who witnessed a violent assault was jailed alongside rapists and murderers in Strangeways because police thought he would not attend court to give evidence.

Police themselves have admitted he was of "impeccable previous character."

But now a man who was willing to alert the police to violence and help combat crime says he will refuse to get involved again because he has lost his trust in the system.

Yes, he failed to turn up at court to give evidence on two occasions.

And police are right to warn of the consequences for people who avoid their responsibilities to give evidence.

But surely his case will only serve to dissuade people from offering their help when the police and the courts need as much help as they can get.

A police escort to court would have been an acceptable compromise. But a night in Strangeways for a witness? We feel the clamber to walk on the other side of the street when a criminal act is being committed will just get greater as a result.