MAGISTRATES should be named and shamed. Of all the stomach churning and sickening newspaper headlines the Mercury's of August 28 must surely be the worst (Teenage tearaway

MAGISTRATES should be named and shamed. Of all the stomach churning and sickening newspaper headlines the Mercury's of August 28 must surely be the worst (Teenage tearaway is protected by court).When magistrates decide to blatantly ignore Government guidelines and police advice they themselves should be named and shamed.Is it any wonder that in some areas police morale is at an all-time low, that antisocial behaviour co-ordinators wonder if they are wasting their time, and that the public are also to report incidences, or come forward with evidence when requested to do so?The pathetic excuse the magistrates have for the restrictions preventing the naming and shaming of the 15-year-old yob with 20 crimes in 21 months against him was, and I quote, 'the family is under pressure' and the 'defendant is already well known'. What a load of almost unbelievable rubbish.Well, of course, he is well known. Shutting the door after horse has bolted springs to mind. As for the family's stress, caused by one of their own, what about the stress law-abiding citizens in the neighbourhood have been forced to tolerate during the last nine years.I have not requested the ever-growing turn of phrase be used, name and address supplied, and sincerely hope that for whatever reason, the editor does not decide not to print it. I was brought up to believe that if it is not worthy of bearing your name, you neither write, say, or do it.G N FLETCHER - Baker Street, Weston