THE front page story about householder Mark Fenwick being arrested and charged for assaulting the "yobs" who attacked his property makes depressing, if not surprising, news (Echo, Oct 5 and 6).

I'm not sure when "trick or treat"

or "mischievous night" began, or where it springs from. I have a feeling it might originate in America, however throwing a lump of stone at someone's window could hardly be called mischievous!

My childhood memory, living in Scotland, is that on October 31 you went at night "guising", collecting gifts or treats from households in the neighbourhood. The big difference between then and now is that you had to entertain those you visited by singing or perhaps reciting poetry before receiving your "treat".

Nowadays it's little more than sanctioned begging, with the threat of vandalism thrown in.

Congratulations to Mr Fenwick.

Whoever said the law was an ass wasn't far off the mark.

David Thomas, Darlington.

YOUR comment (Echo, Oct 6) appeared wholeheartedly in favour of Mark Fenwick with phrases such as "feel sympathy can you blame him Crown Prosecution should bear in mind"

At the very end you undermine this by saying: "Surely a stern warning would have been enough."

After being cleared in 20 minutes by the jury with a unanimous verdict and vindicated, can you explain for what need he be sternly warned?

More to the point, a commendation should be awarded for his public awareness.

How are we ever going to establish law and order when politicallycorrect police and courts seem to go out of their way to support the thugs, and sit-on-the-fence newspaper writings condone such actions by the law enforcement agencies?

K Hopper, Darlington.