Letter: A poor mark for the magistrates

ADAM SAGE'S report (5 July) on the political persuasion of the magistrates' bench, misses the point. Political persuasion ought not to influence judgment. However, most magistrates are out of touch with the people likely to be defendants.

I served as a magistrate for about five years, and was given excellent training in the running of the courts and certain legal matters, but no training in poverty, racial and gender awareness. It follows that the poor are at a disadvantage.

Most magistrates are unaware of the world these people live in.

Louis Proctor

Liverpool