WHAT sort of message are the courts giving to criminals and the public (In court, March 4)?

Public order offence: £50 fine; assaulting a police officer: £60 fine; theft and non-appearance in court: £70 fine; two offences of theft: no fine; speeding: £400 fine.

So who is protecting the people and the police? Even the courts seem to think it is far worse to exceed the speed limit than to rob someone's home, punch a member of the public or beat up a police officer.

The motorist pays again, because the courts can't get money from criminals, but can easily take it from drivers.

Young people fighting, stealing and using drugs, who already know they are untouchable, will forever be problems. And the good old motorist, fined for owning a car, will turn against the police, the courts and the system.

M Jackson,

The Ridings,

Rufforth, York.

Updated: 11:02 Tuesday, March 09, 2004