WHAT a contrast. One man demonstrates astonishing courage, the other despicable cowardice.

The war hero displays every strength of masculinity, the mugger every weakness.

It is hard to conceive of a more cowardly act than that committed by the thief in Acomb. His face obscured by a balaclava, he smashed his way into the home of a 92-year-old woman, knocked her to the floor and stole her purse.

It was a wicked and immoral act. The pensioner, who had to be taken to hospital after her ordeal, will struggle to recover from such a terrible violation of her privacy and peace of mind.

Unbelievably, it was the second time she had been a victim of crime in a few hours, having earlier had her shopping bag stolen.

That same day Home Secretary David Blunkett came to York to trumpet his latest crimebusting schemes. Mr Blunkett's reforms cannot be considered anything other than a failure while frail pensioners are at risk in the street and in their homes.

The Acomb mugger is as pathetic as Chris Finney is courageous. Trooper Finney was today awarded the George Cross, the second highest honour for gallantry under fire, for his amazing bravery in the Iraq war.

He was thrust into battle at 18, only months after joining the Army. When his squadron became the victim of friendly fire he rescued a wounded soldier from a burning tank despite the danger of its ammunition exploding.

He then clambered back into the blazing vehicle to send a radio report before helping his friend to safety despite sustaining shrapnel wounds.

Trooper Finney, and the 300 other service personnel honoured for their role in the Gulf war, deserve our gratitude. They have shown all that is best about the human spirit, just when we needed a reminder.

Updated: 10:07 Friday, October 31, 2003