LAME excuse number nine: beware the demon drink. It forced one teenager to burgle the same newsagent on three separate occasions at a cost of almost £7,000 - a sobering thought (September 17).

Thankfully, the shop owner is sleeping soundly knowing the court has placed a curfew order on him and a free pass to Alcoholics Anonymous, as well as having his legs slapped.

In a separate incident another teenager managed to snatch £1,730 worth of jewellery. Luckily, he managed to stay intoxicated so he could pass on the these valued items.

The owner is now safe in the knowledge that the thief has also been placed under curfew as well as a supervision order and told he has been a very naughty boy.

Let's hear it for British justice, but not for the poor victims.

RD Watson,

Elmfield Terrace,

Malton Road, York.

Updated: 08:53 Tuesday, September 23, 2003