Plane crazy

DESPITE bringing an airport to a standstill for several hours, the Stansted 15 protesters walked out of Chelmsford Crown Court with only community and suspended sentences, vindicated in the eyes of their supporters. Their lawyer tried to claim they had been arraigned under anti-terrorist legislation when they had been prosecuted under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act.

On the same day, a deportation flight left for Jamaica. If, as the Government states, the 29 passengers included a murderer, rapist and drug dealers, the travesty was that the plane was almost empty.

Another 20 criminals who had been convicted of serious crimes and posed a danger to the public, according to the Home Secretary, were removed from the plane after a last-minute reprieve, paid for, I dare say, by taxpayers. TERRY HICKMAN,

Southampton.