I AM the mother-in-law of Stephen Swallow (My outrage: Thug pair have sentences for attack reduced, May 21).

He is an honest, hard-working, loving family man who has been badly let down by a system supposed to help victims.

His attack took place almost a year ago and during that year he has had numerous hospital and dentist appointments - which are still ongoing.

Physically, he is stronger, but the mental scars will stay with him for the rest of his life, as they will with his family.

Now the Appeal Court has reduced the sentences of the two thugs who attacked him on the grounds the Lincoln Crown Court judge had told them they would be given credit for pleading guilty.

Surely, a judge would know the ramifications of what he was saying? And what about the lawyers who thought more about their wallets than justice?

You only had to look at the photo of Steve to see how viciously he was attacked.

With hand on my heart, I only wish that the thugs who did this to Steve will get the same treatment one day.

Steve was let down by a 'technicality', so an innocent man has been punished again. He cannot appeal against the verdict and it's his hard-earned taxes which have helped pay for the thugs' appeal.

Ironic, isn't it?

Mary Robinson Washingborough.

What's the point in having a court system when the judges give out such lenient sentences as in the case of Stuart Kisby and Darren Wheeler's attack on poor Mr Swallow.

If they can successfully apply to the courts to have their sentences reduced for pleading guilty, what's to stop them from doing it again?

People like that should be locked up for life. I know if they did that to any member of my family, I would be waiting for them to get out and to avenge them and to make sure they couldn't do that again to anybody else.

I'm sorry, but people like that should not be able to roam our streets. I am sure there are plenty of people like myself who are steaming at the thought that they will one day soon be able to roam our streets again. God help us all.

mark taylor Devon Street, Lincoln.

How disgraceful to hear that the two thugs who attacked Stephen Swallow and left him with horrific injuries after repeatedly kicking and stamping on him have had their sentences reduced.

They must be laughing their heads off at our soft legal system.

It's a sorry state of affairs when criminals' rights come before decent law-abiding people.

This isn't justice, it's a complete mockery of the word. It is about time the law was changed in favour of the good guys.

Jill Andrews Roughton Court, Ermine East, Lincoln.

I have finally lost all my faith in the English judicial system. I can imagine all the thugs and muggers out there will be laughing their heads off knowing they will receive a lesser sentence if they plead guilty, and that's if the case ever gets to court.

Den Esberger Lincoln.