IF ever there was a case to illustrate that English law is an ass, it must be the recent conviction of Terence Hargreaves for the theft of £1,000 from Good Samaritan pensioners Jim and Eileen Wright.

He had already been given six years for the robbery at knife point at the Spar Convenience Store in Castle Street but because the sentence for the burglary was less than the robbery, the judge made it consecutive, in effect nullifying any retribution the pensioners should have been entitled to.

FULL STORY: Homeless man Terence Hargreaves befriended elderly couple, then stole their holiday cash

Both these crimes should have been treated independently and he should have got six years for the robbery, plus six months for the burglary.

Instead, we get a statement from the court that: "The matter will not be pursued further."

This is not justice.

Peter Lewis Fairchild

Hilden Street

Bolton