I was sickened and disgusted to read (The Argus, April 20) the two young thugs Trevor Hodges and Linden George, who have been sentenced for car-jackings and other crimes, starred in a National Youth Theatre production about life in a young offenders' institution and in a Channel 4 documentary.

I work with young drama students who live decent lives, who are utterly dedicated and very talented but who frequently suffer disappointment when seeking film and stage work.

Why should this work be offered instead to untrained young hooligans who have behaved badly?

Why should these people be rewarded and given precedence over those who are professional and have harmed no one?

I fear this is another weak-kneed attempt to show the world that the theatre is "non elitist" but it is causing a lot of justifiable resentment among hard-working, clean-living young drama students and their tutors.

-M Saverini, Lower Rock Gardens, Brighton