IN RESPONSE to Bryan R Lawson’s and Derek Martin’s letters about Frank Fernie (Letters, July 19), Mr Martin criticises Anne Rylatt (Letters July 12) for “offering a reference for someone she doesn’t know”.

However, he and Mr Lawson show themselves to be just as guilty in making assumptions about the events in which Frank was involved on March 26. It is obvious he was not there; I was and spent time with Frank.

It is our democratic right to take part in demonstrations. Frank cannot be criticised for choosing to do so.

Frank did not join in with an “out-of-control bunch of dangerous people” (Bryan R Lawson) “carrying poles, iron bars and bricks” (Derek Martin). He was on the agreed route, outside of Fortnum & Mason, while UK Uncut took peaceful direct action inside the store in response to corporate tax avoidance.

Frank would not have been able to walk away from this situation as Mr Martin suggests because police were kettling people. When I saw him less than two hours later he had sustained blows to the head and was struggling to walk.

I believe people should know the context in which Frank acted before judging him and his sentence.

Nick Smith, Leeman Road, York.