18 DECEMBER 2004, Page 38

Nicky’s knife crime

From Norman Burton

Sir: Edward Spalton (Letters, 11 December), along with no doubt many others, seems to ignore very conveniently the fact that Nicky Samengo-Turner broke the law. There is no excuse for this and any mitigating circumstances should be considered only by a court of law. It is not for the police to decide who should, or should not, be let off.

When I read the original article, the one thing that struck me most was the fact that Mr Samengo-Turner came out of his house with an offensive weapon. His whole case was lost on this single point.

Norman Burton Pinner, Middlesex