A street evangelist in the United Kingdom recently received money from the local authorities after he was arrested for allegedly preaching against homosexuality back in September 2011. As a result, 57-year-old John Craven received £13,000 ($21,000 U.S.) when the case against him was settled out of court.

Craven used to evangelize to random people at Market Street in Manchester, U.K. at least twice a week back in 2011. However, on September 17, 2011, when the street preacher was proclaiming the Gospel at Market Street, he was asked by a gay couple about his personal views on homosexual couples getting married.

"Whilst God hates sin He loves the sinner," Craven reportedly said to the homosexual couple on September 17, 2011.

According to the street preacher, the men starting getting affectionate with one another and then started to mock Craven by simulating sexual acts in front of him. Craven then claimed the couple reported him to the Greater Manchester Police Department for "public order offenses." Craven said he was locked up for 15 hours without receiving any water of food. In addition, he also said that the police station did not give him his rheumatoid arthritis medicine after he asked for it several times. The Manchester Police Department paid the sum of £50,000 in legal fees and compensation as a result of Craven's ordeal under their watch.

Craven recently issued a statement regarding the aftermath of his treatment by the Manchester Police Department.

"I never intended to cause anyone harassment, alarm or distress. In fact, quite the opposite. I preach the Gospel which means good news and the love of God for all," said Craven in a statement a few days ago, according to BBC. "The actions of the police have left me feeling nervous and anxious [and] I found the whole episode extremely distressing ... It appears that the actions of the police were calculated to give me and other street preachers the impression that we could not preach the Gospel in public without breaking the law and if we did we would be arrested."