THE criminal justice system over the last few years has put criminals' rights before the rights of their innocent victims.

The list is endless. Burglars claiming compensation from the owner of the property if he is over zealous in protecting his family and possessions, soft sentences for the molesters of young children, murderers being paroled and murdering again, criminals being convicted and then acquitted because of a technicality in the judge's summing up. Pensioners being beaten and mugged and the perpetrators receiving suspended sentences.

Alas, the criminal justice system pendulum has swung full circle. It is now also ignoring the rights of the poor criminals.

Mass murderers Fred West and Dr Harold Shipman both these men's wishes have been ignored.

Both wanted to, and did, end it all. Why didn't we as a responsible society save them the trouble and hang them ourselves?

Bill Williams

Covingham