23/01/05

Now the last time I looked, this was still a country of free speech and I don't think Mike Amos, who I do not know personally, only through his writings, did anything to compromise his position as a journalist.

I worked for many years in the criminal justice system, in the courts, the community and in prisons, working with the likes of George Reynolds, but my observations are not as to his guilt or innocence but to his sentence.

I recall that a certain Lester Piggott, who diddled the taxman of £7m, getting a prison sentence that in no way equates to George Reynolds's three years for £500,000. I remember another guy who made Mrs Thatcher laugh diddling the tax man of almost £800,000 - yes Ken Dodd. Did he go to jail, directly to jail? No.

Dodd did not receive a prison sentence because he agreed to repay all the money.

Was George Reynolds offered a similar opportunity? No Why?

Speculation tells me it was because he was a pain in the neck for many people in authority and he was an ex-con.

If locking up an old man in his late 60s because he evaded tax is a civilised society - well I think it's pathetic.

George Reynolds will come out of prison a broken man. Yes, he has made mistakes and, by gum, he is now paying for them big time.

The whole George Reynolds fiasco did nothing to restore my faith in the judicial system and, before you ask - no I am not a Darlington FC supporter. - Name and address supplied.

DARLINGTON'S TEAM

I AM a Darlington fan and sometimes I can't believe I've been to the same game as some of the reporters.

Recently I saw my side battle a hard earned draw against Grimsby Town, a side at the top of League Two with a view of going first if they won the game. Their tactics certainly weren't pretty to watch (long balls upfield to try to win a set piece for their giants to cause trouble in our box). However, they were effective, but Darlington matched them yard for yard with Phil Stamp running the show.

The report made out that Darlington were hopeless and there was very little positive to be taken from the match. Lee Hall's ratings went along with that. Shelton Martis a 5? Fair enough, his distribution wasn't as effective as usual but defensively he was outstanding, marking Reddy (their best player) out of the game. This isn't just my opinion but it is the opinion of many fans I have spoken to since the match (via the Internet) and I think The Northern Echo needs to take a long, hard look at the standard of reports they are producing. - Stephen Hill, Hull.

COUNCIL TAX

A 79-year-old pensioner is handcuffed and charged for not paying council tax of a few pounds.

Others go to prison and yet John Prescott, having evaded this tax for eight years, is attempting to bury his 'forgetfulness' behind the Ruth Kelly smoke-screen of teacher problems.

What a dreadful example of New-Labour in action. - R Harbron Norton.

Sadberge RESERVOIR

INSTEAD of demolishing the Sadberge Reservoir why not make it into a trout fishing venue.

There is a large number of people from Teesside, North Yorkshire and the Darlington area who would like to see a venue closer than having to drive many miles as now. - Charles Wilson, Darlington.

PROTECT THEM

MPs have been given a free vote as to whether England will follow the examples of Scotland, Ireland and possibly soon Wales as to whether smoking will be banned in all workplaces and public places.

MPs will vote on whether exemptions are given to pubs that don't serve food and private members' clubs so that smoking can carry on in these establishments.

This is an unbelievable issue that is under discussion. It gives a powerful message that the life of a bar worker in these premises is worth less than a white-collar worker in the town centre.

The North-East of England has a high number of these pubs and clubs which are located in the most deprived areas, where the staff have the least choice and the most to lose.

Surely those who work in these places must feel let down and undervalued, and if these exemptions are allowed, then these staff will continue to be subjected to high levels of cancer-causing chemicals, putting their health and life at risk.

The argument of whether secondhand smoke is dangerous is no longer the issue, the Government has made a decision that it will be banned. So where is the logic that some places can carry on allowing smoking? Pubs and clubs are people's workplaces; they deserve the same protection.

If a firefighter went into a smoky house to rescue a family would the same debate be discussed as to which firefighters would be allowed to wear breathing apparatus? Absolutely not. Then why is this an issue for bar workers? Comprehensive legislation without exemptions will protect everyone. - Dianne Woodall, Darlington.

LEAGUE TABLES

PARENTS and young people thinking about education choices post-16 should reflect that the league tables, published this week, seriously underestimate many local colleges' performance.

The tables only give points for A-levels and some key skills, so the equally challenging vocational qualifications which students may be studying get no points at all. This automatically seriously depresses the points score of the many colleges offering a wide range of vocational qualifications. Nor do the tables yet reflect the progress which individual students have made. These value-added scores for schools and colleges will not now be published until January 2007.

The Association of Colleges believes these problems mislead parents and young people about the best choices to make post-16. The fact is that your local college "even if it has done very well this year" is likely to be even better than the tables show. Rather than make a judgement based on faulty information, the best course of action is to see for yourself what your local college has to offer. - Dr John Brennan Chief Executive, Association of Colleges.

GUM MENACE

I SIMPLY cannot understand why gum chewers (like smokers) think the ordinary norms of civilised behaviour and the anti-litter laws don't apply to them.

Do they drop gum (or cigarette ends) on the floor at home? I suspect not - so why muck up our streets? There's been a proposal to tax chewing gum to pay for clearance, but it might be more effective for the manufacturers to incorporate disposal sachets in every package.

Another point on smoking - now it's effectively banned inside hospitals every hospital doorway is carpeted with cigarette ends and festooned with smokers, sometimes (unbelievably!) wheeled there by hospital staff . In theory, smoking is forbidden in hospital grounds too - why isn't that enforced? - John Hawgood, Durham.