Letter: Closure of court is big blow to justice
With the closure of Shrewsbury Magistrates Court there is now no court in Shropshire county.
The centuries old tradition of local crime being being dealt with swiftly and fairly by people of repute who know their communities has been destroyed.
Once we had a justice system that was copied by countries worldwide, the benchmark of any civilised country. Now we are returning to the law of the jungle.
Once it was the thieves and robbers who lived in fear of the law, now it's the innocent law-abiding citizens who live in fear, afraid of leaving their homes in case they are burgled, they are afraid to walk the streets in peace and safety. Only a small proportion of crimes ever come to court and when they do the criminals have more human rights that the victims.
A recent case is typical. A woman who falsely claimed £70,000 in benefits gets off with a slap on the wrist and 200 hours community service. She stole it off us hardworking folk. How long does it take one of us to earn £70,000?
It is quite clear that if you are a victim of crime you will have to be willing to travel if you live a long way from Telford.
People have protest marches for the rights of cats and dogs these days, it really is time to forcibly protest that our right to justice has been removed.
Ron Jones , St Martins
Send us your letters for publication:
Email us at starmail@shropshirestar.co.uk or write to: Readers' Letters, Shropshire Star, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5HU. Letters MUST include the writer's name, address and telephone number. Letters will only be published anonymously in exceptional circumstances. The editor reserves the right to condense or amend letters.
