THE inopportune, infuriating letter by Joan Sourbutts (LET, December 22) is just typical of why many criminals get such lenient sentences. I just hope Amy Houston's family did not read it.

Some criminals will commit crime safe in the knowledge they will either get an inept, liberal-minded judge or a sympathetic do-gooder like Joan Sourbutts.

The least the family of Amy deserve is the assurance that Mr Ibrahim will be deported as soon as he has served his paltry sentence. My sincere condolences to the family for their needless loss.

BEV TURNER (Mrs), Leopold Way, Blackburn.