YOUR correspondent, R Cewan, refers to a report on the sentencing of a persistent shoplifter (May 25).

I cannot comment on a specific case but I should like to say that when magistrates sentence offenders we operate within what the law allows, and according to nationally-agreed guidelines.

When we decide on a sentence, we take into account all the circumstances of a case before reaching a balanced decision, and explain the reasons for our decision in open court.

Ten years in prison is well beyond our powers, even if it was an appropriate sentence for shoplifting.

Protecting the public, and reducing crime, are our principal concerns.

Shoplifting is often done to raise cash to buy drugs. Probation, coupled with specialist treatment, can reduce or eliminate an offender's dependence on drugs. If it succeeds in this, stealing is less likely to occur again. Probation can therefore be more effective than prison in reducing crime in the long term.

As members of the community, magistrates are very aware of the shoplifting problem in York, and its causes. We work closely with organisations such as the Safer York Partnership to deal with it.

Magistrates' courts are generally open to the public and R Cewan is welcome to see the courts in action. We are happy to talk about our work and our Magistrates In The Community group offers presentations to community groups about the work of magistrates.

Peter Hogarth,

Chairman of York magistrates,

Clifford's Street, York.

Updated: 10:49 Wednesday, May 30, 2001