SIR – On December 8, the T&A reported that a fugitive rapist had been jailed in his absence for 21 years, and that a barman convicted of murdering his lover was told he must serve at least 15 years behind bars.

If the rapist is caught and serves his sentence, and the barman survives his pathetic incarceration, both could be back on our streets to re-offend.

To cap it all, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke – aptly called wishy-washy by a previous correspondent – has outlined plans which could see even murderers serving less time in prison.

Monsters who commit these heinous crimes should be locked up for their natural life. Understandably, many of the victims’ families advocate the ultimate punishment, which under today’s UK law will never happen.

However, the Justice Secretary must not add to their grief by introducing more lenient sentencing. It will create a miasma of despair all round.

David Rhodes, Croscombe Walk, Bradford