I share the anger of William and Alan Tatton concerning the lenient sentencing of their mother's callous attacker (News Shopper, February 6).

Four years clearly is not enough for someone who mugged a frail 80-year-old and, in so doing, robbed her of any quality of life she might have had!

What has society come to? How can it be right that a sentence for robbery with assault s the same as one for burglary?

Also, why should any sentences run concurrently? I have never understood why all sentences cannot run back-to-back and the time accrued be served in full! Parole should be regarded as a great privilege and only granted if truly "well deserved".

I believe the police do work hard to investigate all crimes of a violent nature, gathering the necessary evidence to bring about a conviction.

It must be particularly galling for them to see their efforts "belittled" when anti-social individuals are treated leniently by our courts with "rubbish" sentences.

The 21st century criminal is becoming more brazen. It is high time our courts adjusted accordingly and that consideration for the victims of crime and their families was made paramount.

Steve Ware

Brewery Road

Plumstead