SIR – Reader Rudi Leavor complains that courts are far too lenient on criminals (T&A, August 18).
In the same edition, a report stated that a shoplifter with 16 previous convictions for a total of 57 offences was given a six-month community order with low-level activity requirement.
Low-level activity! How can you justify giving a highly-active thief low-level activity as punishment? And can someone please explain what it is? No don’t bother, I’ll make a guess. I bet it’s painting by numbers!
Anyway, Rudi Leavor’s letter prompted me to search for a cutting I’d saved from the T&A (February 28, 2011).
‘No more leniency shoplifters warned’ – it said in large print. Judge Durham Hall had jailed a shoplifter for 21 months, telling him: “This sentence is to punish you and send a message to those who are causing this city problems. There will be no more leniency for professional shop lifters”. No more leniency! Pull the other one, Judge.
David Oyston, Rylands Avenue, Gilstead
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