Judge Alan Goldsack QC, Recorder of Sheffield, was quoted as saying that the case could have been tried for murder, and expressed his disappointment that the Crown Prosecution Service had accepted a guilty plea to manslaughter from Sabrina Hirst instead. He also said that Tiffany’s death “was as bad a case of child manslaughter as there can be” and that “she could have been locked up for 22 years if only she had been tried for murder.”

My understanding of the law for anyone convicted of murder, is that there is a mandatory life sentence only. The judge will subsequently decide on a tariff, which is the number of years to be served before the offender becomes eligible for parole cosideration.

There is no guarantee that parole will be granted, as the reviewing authority take into account the offender’s behaviour in prison, any remorse shown and, most importantly, whether they constitute a danger to the public if released.

The sentencing range for manslaughter is much wider, from a non-custodial sentence up to life imprisonment. As the judge has expressed his feelings over the severity of the offence, he could have imposed a life sentence on Sabrina Hirst, instead of one of 12 years - of which, with her good behaviour, only six years will be served.

Cyril Olsen, Busk Park, Sheffield 5

A LITTLE girl in Sheffield was severely malnourished, neglected, kept in filthy conditions and died alone from bronchial pneumonia. It is horrifying that the adults responsible for her welfare should treat their little girl, Tiffany, in this way. They are rightly given long sentences with the Recorder saying that Tiffany’s death was ‘about as bad a case of child manslaughter as there can be’ (June 28).

However, your headline “Tot suffered a ‘Third World’ death in filth and degradation” is an insult to hundreds of millions of parents in developing countries who love their kids to bits and do all that they can for them. Children are greatly valued and loved within their communities.

The police spokesman is right to say that Tiffany’s death “should never have happened in 21st century South Yorkshire”, but it is shameful to equate it with a Third World death. Children in developing countries do not die from neglect and maltreatment..malnutrition, where it occurs, is not from parental choice and action.

The police spokesman’s comment may have been a slip of the tongue, as he tried to maximise the horror of Tiffany’s death, but may also reveal an underlying ignorance and lack of respect for people in developing countries, who may be desperately poor but love their children and are doing the best they can for them.

Roy Barry, Bradway Grange Road, S 17

HOW many more little children are going to die at the hands of evil parents? What makes these animals tick. Little Tiffany didn't stand a chance with this apology for a mother.