YOU report that the persistent beggar Jeffrey John Ward has been made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO), which, given the young man's circumstances, is disgraceful (June 11).

Mr Ward is described as being a heroin addict - has any action been taken against the drug dealer who supplies him? - and schizophrenic.

If this is so the magistrate's order may well be invalid as incompatible with the Human Rights Act 98, Article II, which covers sufferers of mental disorders.

Also the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 requires the local authority to take on certain responsibilities and provide the appropriate care in cases such as Mr Ward's.

Doubtless he caused stress to people he approached, but he has not fire-bombed telephone boxes, attacked anyone causing them to have a heart attack or been accused of violence.

So the ASBO, which effectively sends the young man away to suffer and starve out of sight, is excessively harsh.

In the 21st century one might expect that society's attitude regarding the mentally disturbed would have become more enlightened and compassionate than in the time of John Clare, Jonathan Swift and Guy de Maupassant.

Not much advancement in the treatment of the mentally ill has been shown in Mr Ward's case.

Terence M Cullen,

Vernon Close,

Bishopthorpe, York.

...IT appears that ASBO really stands for "anti schizophrenic behaviour order". Your report on the case of Jeffrey Ward highlights this.

He is only one among others with this mental illness that have been made the subject of an ASBO. This is the equivalent of the city fathers driving similarly sick people outside the city gates in medieval times because they believed them to be "possessed by the devil".

This ancient and barbaric treatment of the mentally ill continues because the Government has failed to make appropriate provisions for people suffering from mental health problems.

It is a misuse of the ASBO system which was created to deal with criminals who set out to deliberately terrorise with their anti-social behaviour.

The Government has a duty to protect all citizens, including those with mental health problems. It is failing in this respect by applying the populist approach of the Middle Ages.

Anthony Morris,

Heworth Green, York.

Updated: 11:46 Wednesday, June 16, 2004