THE British judicial system was once held up as an example of the best in the world. It is now a joke.

Scales of justice are heavily weighted on the side of the guilty, while the victims of crime are left to pick up the pieces alone. Three cases recently reported in the Evening Press are a prime example.

Firstly we have the case of Tamara Bennett, given nine months out of a possible 14 years sentence for causing death by dangerous driving (November 28).

Judge Scott Wolstenholme said the mitigating circumstance for reducing her sentence was that she is the mother of a five-year-old son. Well Andy Pycroft's mother also had a son whom she will never see again, thanks to the impatience and stupidity of Tamara Bennett, and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to Mrs Pycroft and her family.

Secondly we have Paul Darch who was involved in the vicious murder of Peter Robinson. Paul Darch has had his sentence cut on appeal because he would lose his benefits and home while in prison (November 30). Surely that is part of his punishment? No doubt had he served it in full, there would have been probation officers and do-gooders queuing up to get his benefits reinstated and re-house him, while the victim's family were quietly forgotten.

Thirdly there is Michael Andrew Hester, with a string of burglaries, including a church. He had his sentence cut from six years to four-and-a-half years (November 30).

Have these judges never heard of the word deterrent? Most of them should have retired years ago, but they carry on into their dotage with large remunerations and the prestige of their status as law lords.

They do not represent what I call justice.

Mrs W P Carter,

Marston Crescent,

Acomb,

York.

Updated: 10:21 Friday, December 02, 2005