Hear all sides

I COULDN'T stop at least one eyebrow rising at Chris Webber's front page (Echo, Dec 17) report that Jonathan Woodgate is "to move to Leeds and away from the temptations of his home town of Middlesbrough".

But it is no surprise to read of a civil law suit in this tangled tale. It may drag on for years. Woodgate may yet do a Delia and enter the dictionary in the series of conspiracy-gates.

Will Leeds do anything for the victims of the savage attack? What will they do with the hefty club fines of the players involved? - M O'Carroll, Northallerton.

IT has been a wretched few days for British justice. Just the other week we learned that a crass mis-judgement by a psychiatrist and a terrible sentencing error by a judge six years ago signed the death warrant of little Sarah Payne.

In the same week, Leeds United footballer Jonathan Woodgate was given little more that a tap on the wrist for taking part in affray during which Asian student was beaten to within an inch of his life.

Impartial justice, honestly and fearlessly dispensed, is the hallmark of a civilised, free and fair society. But justice and the law can only work if it has the respect and trust of those who live under its rules.

But the Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate trial has sorely tested both the law's trust and respect.

The 100 hours community service sentence handed down to Woodgate was a disgrace, the kind of punishment usually reserved for petty criminals.

That was bad enough, but the reason given by the judge, that he saw the agony etched on Woodgate's face during the trial, was insensitive, witless and an insult to the young student who is likely to be disfigured for life as a result of the merciless thrashing he received.

Nobody in the country, except perhaps for a few diehards in Leeds, will believe that Woodgate, a thug with a vicious temper who drinks too much, received anything other than a catastrophically lenient punishment.

Judges dispense justice on behalf of the people and few will believe what they saw at Hull Crown Court last week was justice.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, said Martin Luther King. Who will judge the judges? - DT Murray, Coxhoe.

AFGHANISTAN

THE Taliban believes in God and must be greatly disillusioned to discover he is not on its side. This must make the certainty of paradise somewhat doubtful for their militarists and suicidal terrorists.

Maybe Osama bin Laden should do the honorable thing and demonstrate faith by blowing himself and his followers into smithereens. The world would be greatly touched by such an awesome gesture.

Meanwhile, the Western world will continue to bask in divine providence, sure in the knowledge that might is right. The laws of the jungle.

In human affairs it's more about dominance than survival.

More wars are inspired by the trading of threats and insults in the corridors of power than the justifiable needs of survival. The milieu of apes and baboons hasn't changed very much at all. - Maurice Jordan, Newton Aycliffe.

ROYAL FAMILY

APPARENTLY our royal princes Wills and Harry have been out shooting pheasants.

It is clear that their father has totally erased from these young men anything their mother, Diana, taught them.

She was passionately opposed to all forms of cruelty to wild creatures.

No doubt when hunting is resumed, they will be out behind the hounds chasing foxes to an agonising death.

When are these young, pampered, arrogant young royals going to realise that the vast majority of people in this country are opposed to this form of cruelty?

I may not live to see the day, but sooner or later these over privileged young misnamed 'royals' will be told to go and work for a living. - Hugh Pender, Darlington.

MICHAEL FALLON

IT is nice to see Michael Fallon, MP for Sevenoaks, become a multi-millionaire (Echo, Dec 17) following a buyout of the company where he was chief executive.

He did a good job at Darlington when he was MP for the town. It shows why MPs hold other interests outside of Parliament. - N Tate, Darlington.

CHARITY WORK

MAY I take this opportunity to send season's greetings to all of you, and special thanks to all those people who supported Scope during this past year.

As the New Year gets under way, Scope enters an exciting era in its development as it approaches its 50th anniversary. Over the last 50 years, Scope has achieved much to improve the lives of people with cerebral palsy, but recognises that there is still a long way to go in achieving equality: a society in which disabled people are as valued, and have the same human and civil rights, as everyone else.

Over the next five years we aim to reach 100 per cent of all children with cerebral palsy, help hundreds of disabled people find work, ensure that the parents of disabled children have access to support and information when they need it most, and enable more disabled people to live independently.

And so the New Year will see Scope carrying on its work to create a fairer society. To join us in that aim, your readers' donations, no matter how small, will help to make a difference to a disabled child or adult's life.

Anyone wishing to give a donation can call my colleague Chris Bowles on (020) 7619 7298, and anyone wanting to learn more of our work can visit www.scope.org.uk and look at our services, information and campaigns.

Best wishes for the New Year ahead. - G McCarthy, Chairman, Scope.