I HAVE never written to a newspaper before but the letter written by Mrs Gomery, of Coleford, in last week's edition of the Review angered me so much I?feel I must respond.

How anyone can dismiss lightly the actions of Two Rivers Housing in causing two of its tenants to be exposed to the dangers of asbestos dust is unbelievable.

Two Rivers Housing have been found guilty by the Housing Ombudsman of a very serious breach of Health and Safety regulations put into place for the purpose of protecting the public from the dangers of deadly materials such as asbestos.

What I cannot understand is why someone should write to a newspaper criticising an innocent victim of appalling negligence whose only objective was to make people aware of the facts and to make sure justice is done.

What kind of world do we live in when you get someone writing to a newspaper praising the guilty and condemning the victim?

If this is an example of the changing times, God help us all.

Until recently I too, along with my son, lived in Two Rivers accommodation and what happened to Mr and Mrs Jackson could have happened to us. In fact it could have happened to any tenant.

I know nothing of asbestos other than its dust is deadly. I know nothing of what it looks like or in what form it takes when using in building. So if repairs would have been needed to my house I would not have had the slightest idea whether asbestos was being worked on or not.

The reason we all live without fear is because of trust. We all trust that the legislation put in place to protect us works and deters would-be offenders. We also trust our landlords that they know what they are doing and that we, as tenants, are properly protected.

I am appalled by what I have read in the Review regarding this case and I very much sympathise with the Jackson family. What is still a mystery to me, however, is why Two Rivers Housing have never been prosecuted.

– Name and address supplied.