Simon and John are drinking in town one night when they witness an incident outside a city centre bar. Alan is attacked by Dan, a well-known local criminal, who stabs him in the chest and runs off before the police arrive. When PC Bright reaches the scene, he administers first aid to Alan who tells him, 'It were that Dan what did it.' Alan then slips into unconsciousness and dies in the ambulance on the way to hospital. The next morning, both Simon and John give statements to the police identifying Dan as the attacker. Six weeks later John is killed in a car accident. It is many months before the case comes to trial but finally Simon is informed that he is due to give evidence on Friday. On Monday he receives a telephone call. He does not recognise the voice but hears, 'Stay at home on Friday or else.' He is very frightened by this and refuses to attend court, believing that his life will be in danger if he gives evidence