I WAS not pleased that a 17-year-old girl who is charged with robberies was going to go on a 12-week course at a top horse racing college (LT, May 12).

Letting the girl do this is totally sending out the wrong messages and shows once more what a nanny state we are.

Goodness knows what the victims of her crimes are thinking when they read this story?

How many decent law-abiding children would love a chance to work with horses?

This girl should have been given a hard job of work to do, not something she wanted to do, ie work with horses.

Punishment should not be enjoyable.

I remember at school when teachers used the cane or ruler and made us write out hundreds of lines and also when parents were strict on discipline.

I think we were all a lot better for it. This is one punishment this girl should not be receiving.

H.Hamer Blackburn