SIR - It is perfectly natural for Nadia Mitchell to want her boyfriend's killer locked up permanently (T&A, December 4) and I have sympathy for her.

However, sentences are not imposed to please victims, and this would not bring back Mark Webster.

A small minority of murderers are locked up permanently, for example Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper. In his case his crimes were particularly horrific; he might still be in danger if released; he might be attacked if he were released.

Leroy Griffith's crime, though terrible, does not to my mind fall into this category.

I think a minimum of 14 years' detention is a fair sentence. I hope he will come out of prison a reformed member of society.

Keith Trobridge, Otley Road, Shipley