Justin Martin, whose dangerous driving was responsible for the death of three-year-old Blake Spencer, is appealing against the three years and nine months sentence handed down by the judge in the hopes of having it reduced (January 11).

What makes him believe his sentence is excessive for causing the death of a child, and what mitigating circumstances, if any, made Judge Paul Hoffman consider this was an appropriate sentence for what he described in court as an "utterly reckless" overtaking manoeuvre?

There are far too many motorists on the road today whose attitude towards other road-users is abysmal. Sentences as lenient as this, followed by an appeal from the guilty party, send out a message that killing a person with a motor vehicle is acceptable, or at least excusable.

It is time meaningful sentences were imposed for such crimes.

A Dobinson,

Askham Lane,

York.

Updated: 10:29 Thursday, January 13, 2005