Let me tell Stuart Bower (Opinion, April 14) that Timothy Evans was not innocent. Either he killed his wife or his own baby daughter or at least had a hand in the death of both of them. Does it really matter for which of these crimes he was hanged? Anyway, with hindsight, who would now accept the evidence of mass-murderer Christie, who had nothing to lose by telling lies at his own trial?

I am sorry Mr Bower had such bitter experience during his police service and hope it was an exception, but let it not cloud his judgement. James Hanratty was a magnet to our do-gooders, trendies and Labour women because he was their last chance to prove that "an innocent man went to the gallows".

That the woolly-headed liberalism evinced by those who did away with our death penalty seeps down through all levels of justice is shown by a recent Argus report. A drunken young drug addict with a record beat and kicked an innocent man so violently he may never work again. The judge gave this thug seven years in prison and he will probably be out in about four. Meanwhile, his victim has a life sentence.

Justice should start at the top, Mr Bower, and work its way down. It should also be seen to be done.

-Richard Halfpenny, New Road, Rustington