Thieves should be made to pay it back and go to jail

WHAT a state is this country in when it comes to the sentencing of offenders (“Leg wax benefits cheat told: Pay £17k or go to jail”, August 29). Just look at what was handed out to this beautician. Where is the punishment in asking a thief to pay back what they have stolen?

They should pay it back and serve a jail sentence too. And if they can’t pay it back give them a longer sentence, otherwise how do you expect to deter others?

Jim Wooster, High Wycombe, Bucks