A TOP judge has ordered a police investigation after key witnesses in a Bolton attempted murder case retracted their statements.

Manchester's Recorder, Judge Rhys Davies QC, said: "This is the kind of situation the court is regrettably familiar with.

"Steps are going to have to be taken to deal with certain individuals with considerable severity if it is found certain activities have taken place.

"I am not suggesting they have in this case. It is perfectly clear there are matters in the background which need to be investigated." His comments came after the prosecution offered no evidence against 25-year-old Adrian Adams who walked free after spending eight months in custody.

Adams, of St Bartholomew Street, Great Lever, was arrested following an incident last September when Gary Knox, aged 19, was shot while sitting in a car.

Adams was due to stand trial at Manchester Crown Court charged with attempted murder but Mr Michael Murray, prosecuting, told Judge Davies that two witnesses had now retracted their earlier statements while another man was unwilling to give evidence. "The position now, so far as the Crown is concerned, is almost inevitable", said Mr Murray.

"It is felt there would not be sufficient evidence to ask a jury to convict and in those circumstances I must indicate the Crown offer no evidence against this defendant."

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