IWAS the victim of an unprovoked attack by four thugs with an iron bar. I was battered so much that I thought my arm and nose were broken.

While I have recovered to an extent, I have to have two operations for a condition development which arose after the attack and which I believe the constant blows to my arms and hands led to.

I cannot sleep properly due to pain in my arms and deadness in my hands.

The police were excellent, they caught all four. Two were sentenced, receiving six and seven months in prison.

I don't know what happened to the other two, who were not involved in the physical attack.

It was cowardly and ruthless.

The sentences of the two jailed will be probably over in five months.

Mine will be a lifetime because the trauma, physically and mentally, is difficult to cope with.

I believe in capital punishment and corporal punishment. Not only is the punishment not equal to the crime, but the sentences are an insult to law abiding citizens.

Our 'get tough' administration has no concept of the effect of their leniency, which has accelerated crime on all fronts.

If a referendum were held on capital and corporal punishment, I believe the nation would vote for restoration.

When will our silent majority stand up and say 'enough is enough?'

TERENCE COOPER (address received).