We are all shocked by child murder and it is right that convicted murderers, such as Hindley and Brady, should pay for their crimes with their lives, either by execution or by full life imprisonment, according to the existing law.

It has always been a cornerstone of British justice that a suspect is presumed innocent until proved guilty.

Maxine Carr and Ian Huntley have not yet been tried for the crime they have been accused of.

If they are convicted, of course, the maximum sentence must be passed and life should mean the full natural term of the convict's life.

Remorse after the event cannot bring back a young life and should not, therefore, be considered as grounds for parole.

However, to pre-judge, as P Law has done (Letters, November 23) by assuming guilt at this stage, could prejudice the chance of a fair trial and so defeat the object of adequate punishment for those found guilty.

-Mrs A Baldwin, Shelldale Road, Portslade