I CANNOT state how disgusted I am to learn of the pitiful sentence of three-and-a-half years’ imprisonment passed on Kelly Tandy, for the causing the death of Ronald Ramsey, 74, at St Osyth.

It amazed me to think just how little a human life is now valued.

Bearing in mind the motoring history of the offender, a sentence of at least 20 years, with no remission, was appropriate.

The trouble is that sentencing is too light and often the offender will appear at court at least ten times before being committed to a term of detention or imprisonment, often reduced for good behaviour.

By this time the person has been conditioned to a life of crime, without a short first time sentence, to nip things in the bud.

To my mind imprisonment also enables the offender to obtain, information from others about crime and equates to a university criminal degree in itself.

The lack of proper penalties endorses crime and does not prevent it. Further more it would seem that there is a total lack of discipline in our prisons.

The worst thing that has happened is that control of these institutions has been passed to private security companies and the quality of staff in my opinion falls short of that which existed while they were in the control of central Government.

Lack of discipline, health and safety laws, along with social reform, needs to be addressed quickly before total control is lost of law and order.

I suppose that the extra monies contributed with our vehicle insurance, in turn provides a pool system, and will perhaps offer some form of comfort to the family of the deceased, who have my heart felt sympathies.

I really feel sorry for mankind.

What can the younger generations look forward to?

P Hook

Clacton