I ASSUME Lee Peter Burns will consider the prison sentence imposed on him is harsh and unjust. But once again it just goes to show how little protection the present legal system gives law-abiding citizens (Knife threats teenager is jailed, September 2).

He was, after all, openly carrying and threatening to use a lethal weapon and his actions show he wasn't concerned about backing his threats with action.

Why wasn't he charged with attempted murder?

It's like the attacks on the First bus service. They will not cease while the law fails to do anything to stop them. Kevin Iain Scott only received two months for throwing a metal tool through a window and now shooting a driver is only considered to be an assault.

The two named above will be back on the streets in no time, so it's no great hardship or loss to them. Such short sentences show them, and all potential criminals, that any future crimes of violence committed will, in effect, be ignored.

Until the law is changed so people are punished for the possible consequences of their actions or non-actions, rather than their intentions, there is no hope for the rest of us.

If that bus had ploughed into a bus stop killing people it would have been accidental death and those that fired the gun would inevitably have been let off with a warning because of their ages.

John Kerr,

Albion Avenue, York.

Updated: 11:04 Monday, September 06, 2004