Two very different articles on Saturday, June 14, but both amounting to the same thing... crime.

The front page headline "Torched" highlighted arsonists in Etty Avenue, Tang Hall, who torched three cars and a trailer. Meanwhile, on page 11, "Grave heartache" told of the grieving mother whose son's grave was robbed of a special light.

I never shall subscribe to the "bored" theory. The time of the arson attacks (3.30am) suggests the people responsible should be asleep, not bored.

The person responsible for the "grave" robbery should be ashamed of themselves but I doubt that very much or they wouldn't have stolen from a grave in the first place.

We should be thankful this is petty crime and not on the scale other cities endure. But, then, why should we?

People are tired of petty fines and slapped wrists being dished out in the courts. If kids can commit an "adult" crime then sentence them as you would an adult. Forget rehabilitation in prisons, people come out knowing more about crime than when they went in.

Crime will never go away, but, unless something radical happens, Saturday's headline will become Monday's, Tuesday's, Wednesdays etc.

PR Willey,

Burnholme Drive,

Heworth, York.

...

What is this country coming to when we, the taxpayers, have to fund a fully paid-up member of the criminal community, namely Brendon Fearon, to sue farmer Tony Martin. Fearon, who is serving time for drug dealing, says it has prevented him finding work. How can he work if he is locked up?

It is disgusting that this can be allowed to progress to the High Court in London at the taxpayer's expense, and Tony Martin, who is soon due for release, stands to lose everything defending himself.

Next time you encounter masked intruders late at night in your bedroom, don't touch them, they may well sue!

R D Watson,

Elmfield Terrace,

Malton Road, York.

Updated: 10:42 Tuesday, June 17, 2003