I REFER to the article on the front page of Friday, October 30, in connection with a shopkeeper using CS gas to defend himself against an armed robber.

I would suggest that:-

a) The Police, in the circumstances, should not have taken the action that they did.

b) The Magistrates, on hearing the evidence, (provided that the news report was correct) should not have convicted Mr Patel, and should be sacked from the Bench for total incompetence -- and the £300 refunded.

c) If in future the police use CS gas in self defence, as they are entitled, and with which I agree, will they also be prosecuted? Or will it be one law for one and one for another?

Mr J B Partington,

Cope Bank West. Bolton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.