I think the time has come to tear up the Human Rights Act.

This legislation has allowed criminals, teenage thugs, bogus asylum seekers and lazy spongers, to name but a few, to take the you- know-what out of the rest of us whilst lining the pockets of human rights lawyers, all at the taxpayer's expense.

Take the case of Learco Chindamo, the man who in 1995 stabbed to death school headteacher Phillip Lawrence.

Last week he won his fight against deportation to his native Italy because it breached his human rights. That just about says it all, doesn't it?

That aside, murderers like him should face the death penalty anyway, as should all these other thugs who think it's clever to stab or kick someone to death for trying to protect their families or property.

This may sound draconian to some, but personally, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

MARK BEACHEY, Alexander Close, Abingdon