BOSSES at North Yorkshire Police have pledged to alter "ambiguous" letters that may have mistakenly encouraged victims of crime to attend youth courts - when the law bans them.

The move follows a story in the Evening Press which highlighted the plight of York taxi driver Ken Day, who wanted to see justice done after his wallet was stolen.

He went to see the teenage thief dealt with at York Magistrates Court but ended up feeling like a criminal himself when staff turned him away. He had received a letter from the police "inviting" him to attend. Since the article was published, other York residents have contacted us to say they too received letters that appeared to invite them to a court they could not enter, as it had restricted access.

Today, police spokesman Ron Johnson said the force administration department would be redrafting the letters, which were sent to hundreds of people each month, to avoid any further misunderstandings.

He said: "It's a standard letter, but we now realise that is ambiguous and it's being redrafted to avoid the ambiguity. Youth courts are special courts with limited access." He said the letters were designed to help victims of crime follow their cases through the courts. He said: "We accept that there's no point in sending out a letter if people don't understand what it says."

Mr Day, 58, of Acomb, said he was left with a bad taste after the experience, despite the good work of the police in capturing the 14-year-old thief.

He said: "If it's going to alter the system and people are not going to get letters like me and go to court when they shouldn't, it's done some good."

Diane Carter, 49, of Acomb, said she wasted two days waiting at court last month after a youth who attacked her son faced an assault charge. She only learnt she could not enter court at the end of the second day. She said court staff dealt with her courteously, but she was frustrated at being misled by the police letter which invited her to court.

Steve Twineham, of North Yorkshire Victim Support, welcomed any changes to make the system run more smoothly.

Updated: 09:12 Thursday, November 06, 2003