VERY many of today's young men and women are striving to carve out for themselves a career and, perhaps, hope eventually to marry and start a family.

There are others, however, who think only of criminal activities. Such a one, no doubt, is the evil oaf who mugged an 86-year old lady (LET 16.8.97) threw her to the ground and ran off with her handbag.

The old lady's daughter says she wants this man caught.

The sort of punishment I have in mind is at least three months in an Army glass-house type of establishment where all activities, save eating and sleeping, take place at the 'double.' Coupled with this and compensation, would be a further three months on social work (unpaid), such as cleaning graffiti off walls.

I can think of no crime so contemptible as to steal an old lady's treasured handbag and to injure her in the attempt.

Perhaps our Home Secretary will make a special note of this case and consider whether the present law is severe enough in dealing with loutish behaviour.

C A BAKEWELL, St James Road, Blackburn.

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