Branded an ‘offender’

SIR – In recent memory, cases of historic child abuse would have been reported by complainants, committed by suspects and investigated by police on a presumption of innocence (until the evidence proved otherwise).

Now, it seems they are reported by “victims”, committed by “offenders” and investigated by officers on a presumption of guilt (until the evidence proves otherwise).

Our criminal justice system is in peril. Unless this trend is reversed, there will be further grave injustices to the reputations of innocent people like Sir Edward Heath (“Heath accuser lied, say his family”, report, October 14). Nigel Hill

London W13