HOW can we stop young offenders getting away with one crime after another? When 14 or 15 year olds come before the courts they are too young to be named, or even to go to prison.

But what the courts can do is to give these young offenders six months in prison - with the sentence deferred until they reach the age of 18.

If they then re-offend before they reach 18 then their sentence could be doubled, depending how serious the crime is. Or, if that person does not come before the courts again, the sentence of six months could well be waived.

I feel this would be a deterrent in itself. At the moment the offenders know no one can touch them and can find no way to stop them re-offending.

I wonder what readers feel about this idea.

Brian Hall,

Reighton Drive, Clifton, York.

Updated: 11:13 Friday, October 03, 2003