SIR: The report on Gary Howarth, the man who was jailed for causing the death of little Tracy Kennedy in 1994, reveals the fact that the law is as big an ass now as in the days of Charles Dickens and that British justice is one huge joke.

Whoever was responsible for the signing of the release note from prison, after the man served less than two years of a five year sentence, should be unceremoniously sacked forthwith.

It makes a mockery of prison being a place of rehabilitation as well as punishment. Who conned the authorities that he'd be of good behaviour? Why on earth can't a prison sentence mean what it says it is - not some obscure figure in terms of years?

I challenge Mr Nicholas Ross's remarks, to the effect that Tracy's death had devastated his client. Some devastation, when the man gets behind the wheel of a vehicle again.

It's high time justice was seen to be done.

Mr F Pollitt, Lupin Avenue, Farnworth

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