Law is pathetic

The soft options obviously don't work. There are no effective deterrents.

One of the arguments for the abolition of capital punishment was that murders would decrease.

I don't know what kind of twisted thinking inspired that conclusion, but it hasn't worked.

Any murder used to rate front page headlines in the big dailies. Not any more. "Ordinary" crimes don't even get a mention.

I agree with every word from correspondents P J Markwick (January 6) and Hilary McElroy (January 19). There has got to be a change of thinking on the part of the law-makers so justice can be seen to be done.

A popular clich among the anti-corporal punishment brigade is that "violence breeds violence." It certainly does. The perpetrators get away with it, so they continue doing it.

The legal system is pathetic. Some of the excuses offered in court by the defending counsels "in mitigation" are risible.

One of the biggest mistakes of recent years has been the European Charter Of Human Rights dreamt up by Brussels. There is not a single mention of human responsibilities. Until we get some, there can be no improvement.

Mrs M Isaacs,

Friars Hill,

Sinnington.

...THERE are too many cases such as Keith Turner's, who faced charges of assault when he tackled a youth who he accused of vandalising his home, happening nowadays ('And they call this justice?', January 22).

The law needs changing.

If the police can't police us then we need to be able to protect our property.

Has the Government learned nothing from the Tony Martin case?

Mrs M Dale,

Highthorn Road, York.

...THE courts should hang their heads in shame, treating Mr Turner in the way they have.

They have as good as said to the under-16s go on and vandalise people's property, all is well.

Where is the discipline for these children?

P Ford,

Wighill Lane, Tadcaster.

Updated: 10:47 Wednesday, January 28, 2004