THIS country's idea of justice is one big joke.

Just six weeks ago, my family sat in court and listened to a judge sentence the killer of my niece Rachael Littlefair to just four years in a Young Offenders Institution.

The following week, the same judge sentenced a 15-year-old boy to seven years for attacking someone.

With remission, and time off which he spent on remand, Rachael's killer would be out and ready to re-start his life when he is 20 (the same age as she was when he took her life away).

Even though the police had statements and witnesses ready to stand in court and say she had been physically abused by him, six months of police work was thrown in the bin and the trial was cancelled.

This was because a psychiatrist who didn't know him from Adam, said he wasn't up to a trial because he'd suffered a psychotic trauma.

No one heard her side of the relationship, as they would have at a trial and in the media. It seems the only person on trial was Rachael.

We were made to feel as if her life and death were totally unimportant and the victim was her killer. - Coleen Bramley, Darlington.

CIVIC THEATRE

SURELY it would be much fairer for Darlington Civic Theatre to hold open auditions, as is done in Sunderland, to recruit youngsters for its annual pantomime.

Or it could choose two different dance schools every year, rather than rely upon the same two dance groups as it appears to happen now.

All the local children should have an equal chance of appearing. Darlington locals support the theatre by attending the many shows it offers. Wouldn't it be nice for the theatre to repay the support by being fair at audition times? - Janis Keaveny, Darlington.

TEES BRIDGE

I WAS interested to read of Chris Dauber's project of building a suspension bridge over the Tees near Barnard Castle at a cost of £1m to promote tourism (Echo, Mar 27).

Surely he knows that a suspension bridge already exists, crossing the same river less than ten miles from his proposed site, with a history going back more than 100 years.

Locals say a suspension bridge has been on this site longer than any other similar type in Europe. It was a means for lead miners to cross the river to get to work.

The bridge in question is at Low Falls, Bowlees, approximately one mile downstream from High Force, and is one of the prettiest locations on the upper Tees.

I would have thought that this particular area and bridge would have a more important and interesting appeal to visitors, especially if £1m, or part of it, were to be spent on advertising.

Perhaps these days we have to create new follies to be successful. - M Anderson, Darlington.

EUROPE

EUROPEAN Regional Aid and the North-East was the theme of a talk given to the Tees Area Branch of the European Movement in Darlington's Arts Centre on April 10.

Malcolm Craggs from the Government Office for the North-East in Newcastle, outlined the significant contribution of European Structural Fund Programmes in helping expand new economic strategies in a region badly hit by change.

Over the next seven years, programmes approved in collaboration between the North-East and Brussels will bring in £450m (to be matched by regional funding) as a spur to creating new businesses, supporting existing firms, improving exporting, and targeting the social needs of disadvantaged communities.

Appraisal of needs, co-ordinated planning, and action will be the task of a partnership of Central Government, a network of local authorities and regional development agencies, and Brussels. Europe, said Mr Craggs, is very tangibly aiding the regeneration of the North-East. - Dr David Whittaker, Vice Chairman, Tees Area Branch, European Movement.

JOURNALISM

SINCE I rely to a great extent on the work of journalists for the information on which I base my opinions, I cannot agree with Hugh Pender (HAS, April 11) that there are no courageous or honest journalists out there. I would certainly trust the likes of Orla Guerin, Ragi Omar or John Simpson far more than any politician.

However, it does not take much journalistic investigation to cast doubt on the British claim regarding al Qaida's chemical/biological weapons capability, as the Americans have stated that there is no evidence to support it. - Pete Winstanley, Durham.

Afghanistan

I NEVER thought that I would ever agree with Pete Winstanley or Hugh Pender (HAS, Apr 11). However, in view of Tony Blair's duplicity, spin and even downright lies over Afghanistan and his following George Bush into every foreign adventure, I can only concur. - Raymond M Kelly, Chester-le-Street.

FRENCH MARKET

HIGH Row, Darlington last Monday. No traffic allowed, letter box sealed. Why? A few tatty street traders in an outside French market taking away trade from the regular stalls inside. Why?

The French won't allow our beef into their country. They make sure as many illegal immigrants as possible get into this country.

Why doesn't Darlington council do something worthwhile like repairing the disgusting roads and pavements in the town? - J Scott, Darlington.

MINERS

COMPENSATION for miners suffering from industrial diseases was, in 1998, achieved through action brought against British Coal by the National Union of Mineworkers.

In subsequent trade union involvement (Echo, Mar 30 and Apr 3) in administering miners' claims, why in the North-East is the constitutional National Union of Mineworkers being ignored in providing the service, in preference to the NUM Durham Area, which is not part of the National Union of Mineworkers? - C Jackson, Ferryhill.