MISERY from crime is worsening in this country and will continue to do so as long as our judicial system remains a farce and we have minorities demanding exaggerated human rights.

I agree whole-heartedly with BW Breakspear (SA, July 26) that individuals surrender their rights when guilty of crime.

In the same issue we read of a drug smuggler sentenced to 18 years in prison with a recommendation to serve nine years. Then there is the murderer sentenced to life imprisonment who is told he must serve 15 years.

On the television the same day a kidnapper sentenced to three-and-a-half years, who has already been in custody for 12 months, is told he will be free in three months.

A sentence is punishment for a crime and should be completed in full. British justice, once highly respected, is now a laughing stock.

How long will it be before we see judges pronounce sentence with the words ". . . and how long would you like to serve?"

Crime will only diminish when we get really tough with offenders.

I E RICKWOOD

Eldene

Swindon