I agree with the annoyed tone of the letters about the youth with an Asbo who has been granted anonymity (Letters, March 24).

We're supposed to have open justice but I read less and less about who appears in court and how they've been punished. When I go to the magistrates' court to watch proceedings, I'm asked why I'm there, as though I'm a criminal.

The courts appear to have forgotten on whose behalf they exist. I find myself having less and less faith that justice is being administered properly. This case reinforces my fears.

While I feel sorry for many of the individuals who have been dealt a bad hand in life and turn to crime, I feel more sorry for their victims.

The job of the police, prosecutors and courts is to bring offenders to justice and ensure they are sentenced to the appropriate punishment on behalf of the community.

To do this, the community needs to know what has happened.

We already know how poorly probation services perform and this explains why they rarely tell the public exactly what they do.

Now the courts are following the same slippery path to poor performance and a culture of failure as this latest example of secrecy clearly demonstrates.

This boy does not need protection.

It's the public that needs protection and, by keeping his identity secret, we're being denied that basic protection as well as the opportunity to help enforce his punishment should we spot him where he shouldn't be.

If we knew what he looked like, we could contact the police.

Unfortunately the courts have given him a licence to reoffend at liberty and stripped us, the public, of the protection we have every right to expect.

The lack of transparency and accountability will erode confidence in the justice system. If it keeps happening it will lead to anarchy.

  • John Williams
    Portland Road
    Hove