I HOPE I am not the only person who was horrified by the reports about Beryl Harvey, who spent a night in a police cell after a series of police errors, and John Drury, a sex offender with dementia.

If the facts of the cases are as set out, they demonstrate examples of unthinking callousness and stupidity only matched by the way in which the departments for health and pensions operates the welfare and sanctions systems.

The police like to portray themselves as a disciplined service, keen to act in accordance with the consent of the public at large.

In Mrs Harvey’s case, they come over as an undisciplined rabble apparently out of control, with no-one prepared to sort out the mess created by the initial mistake.

It beggars belief that, while police allege they are short of resources, the case was even thought appropriate to proceed to court action as opposed to, at worst, using the cautioning process to settle the matter.

Or was it considered that an easy conviction is good for the statistics.

The further actions of the police, as set out in the report, would be worthy of a Fred Karno scenario, if it were not for the implications on the health of a 78-year old lady with serious chronic conditions.

In many ways, the case of 93-year old John Drury is even worse.

If, as stated, he is suffering from dementia, it is highly likely any alleged offences occurred during a period of memory failure and as such he should be in the hands of the medical authorities.

It is difficult to imagine what good his appearance at crown court will do except test his competence to plead or, if he is found guilty, result in anything better than could have been done in the magistrates' court.

As an 81-year old myself, I am concerned these cases may represent the tip of a very disturbing iceberg for all senior citizens.

I am therefore sending a copy of this letter together with a copy of your report to the crime commissioner for Essex, requesting him to institute enquiries into the handling of these two cases.

In case either the police and judicial authorities attempt to justify their actions by claiming everything occurred according to law, I would refer them to the saying of Solon, the Greek Lawmaker in 6th century BC: “Laws are for the guidance of wise men and the blind obedience of fools."

Rupert E E Edwards
Cardinal Close, Colchester