NOT so long ago I read about a burglar broke who into the house of a pensioner.

She was so badly beaten in her bed that she died shortly afterwards.

Since Judge Peter Bowers believes that burglary is a courageous act (Echo, Sept 5), would he kindly explain the courage behind not just this burglary, but other burglaries in which the victims (including children) have been murdered, brutalised, tortured and even raped?

CT Riley, Spennymoor .