Church of England turns Jesus into drug addict

A former drug addict takes the place of Jesus – wearing a crown of thorns made from syringes – as part of a shock tactic advertisement the Church of England hopes will attract new worshippers this Easter.

Rob Jones, 46, from Halifax, West Yorks, who spent years living rough punctuated by time in prison before turning his life around, plays the central role in a short film modelled on a traditional passion play.

He appears alongside a former white witch who converted to Christianity and others in the video made as part of the Church’s “Just Pray” campaign.