I FEEL outraged by the pitiful sentence handed to burglar Ben Ireland (The Press, October 29).

This man raided an 82-year-old woman’s home, entered her bedroom in the middle of the night and stole personal belongings, resulting in her having to move because she was so traumatised.

He was then convicted of nine more pre-planned burglaries and the judge passes a sentence of two-and-half- years. He will no doubt be out on the streets again in around a year.

He is clearly a career criminal who has caused misery to his victims. Burglary is such an intrusive crime but what kind of a message does this send out?

Nick Norman, Huntington, York.