I do not defend the actions of the student jailed for his racist Tweets but I am absolutely amazed that his appeal against the sentence has been rejected.

He really is a twit to indulge in hurting feelings – but he could have taken to the roads with no licence or insurance and killed some innocent child in a hit and run, and it would probably only have cost him an extra 40 days loss of freedom.

The number of occasions when the punishment totally fails to fit the actual offence is occurring so often that I am not surprised the British public has lost faith in what used to be called British Justice.

Brian Gordon Conservative councillor, Meadowhead Ward.