The Editor, Sir:

I read with interest Paul Williams' article about the child who was a victim of rape. I noticed that although the child found out who his father was, he did not bother to stay with him but chose to go and harass his mother.

Only a passing reference was made about a father, but all these months she was carrying this 'unwanted child' while the rapist went about his business.

My sympathy

I have sympathy for the child, yes, but we have choices in life and choosing crime was not the answer; and while I am happy that he turned his life around, the fact that he is alive today is due to his mother.

It pains me to think what that mother went through and that the men always seem to get away with their beastly acts. The only reason I am not in favour of the death penalty and in cases like this for the one who committed the act being castrated is the slim possibility that an innocent individual might be wrongfully convicted.

I am, etc;

J Elaine McDonald

jmcdo62658@opt.net

Bronx, NY