As they say a society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members. No problem tho' -if the perpetrators are found they will be able to hire Cherie Blair to defend their (sub) human rights. I can never, ever recall a similar case in Canada.Thank God I left the UK

BOBBATH, TORONTO, Canada

This poor family have been failed doubly - by a social security system which not only prioritises handouts for the worthless scum who tormented them over proper help and support for the disabled people of this country, and by a criminal justice system which was probably too scared to say boo to these yobs - or more likely saw no profit in it. Both 'services' run by the same Government which wants kids like Francesca taught in the seething hotbeds of hate which pass for modern high schools, claiming that it's in their best interests to socialise with 'normal' peers of the same age.

I'd personally like to see a new crime of 'bullycide' introduced, that is, that anyone who drives another to suicide through persistent torment should be charged with manslaughter and serve at least 20 years. I can see the human rights lot having a field day with that.

Rich, Leeds, UK

I am an Asian who has lived in this country for over 45 years . My kids have been brought up to be polite, respectful, not to throw litter in the street, to always say "please" and "thanks you" (.....only this evening, whilst dining at a store cafeteria a stranger complimented me on them - she had been watching whilst they ate and played on a seperate table.) I despair at the way a lot of parents - sadly from the indigenous population - who take little or no interest in the way their kids grow up. The blame for hooliganism and vandalism really falls squarely upon the shoulders of the parents who often couldn't care less. Truth be told though - often the parents themselves are not much better in their attitudes!

P. Aaron, Wolverhampton, UK

This IS hapening everywhere - the same scenario - youre told to ring the police and report anti-social behaviour - we are told this government is tackling youth crime , we will act to stop it - what a load of rubbish!! - heres what usually happens - you see something happening - youre scared but ring the police anyway - they say theyll send someone round - then if your lucky - 2-3 hours later they drive by - without stopping , I belive this keeps their 'figures' down and its less paperwork. - its happening all over - this government needs to open their eyes - have cctv cameras insatlled on estates - then at a phone call the police can see for themselves what is happening - its the ponly way forward - nothing else is working its just getting worse and worse .

susie smith, newxastle upon tyne, tyne and wear

In every street in every town this is happening today.
As someone who has experienced such behaviour personally, from nearby unemployed social housing youth / their family for many years, without the authorities doing anything, I know what it is like to live in fear. Many, many years later, and with health problems I now have as a result of the stress, the purpetrators have been removed.
The evidence was there long ago- ignored and not acted upon- the police and social housing landlords did nothing.
I will be leaving the UK- becoming old and disabled here is frightening- what about the people with no choice?
Our politicians live in protected neighbourhoods, they would not endure what we ordinary mortals have to endure daily, but then they would make sure laws protected them, no doubt.

EFletcher, London,

We must get rid of this Scottish PM and his Scottish ministers, go back to old ENGLISH Values. Since Jock Tony Blair came to power 10 years ago, with his tough on crime, things have got steadily worse. We never see a policeman walking the streets, but a lorry with a flat tyre on the dual carriageway, lots of cars and lots of police! Whatever goes wrong, no-one is ever to blame. Name the Police Officer who neglected his duty, and allowed this to happen. It will all be swept under the carpet, as always! If it had been a Brazilian or a Diana, or even a Scot, we could have half a dozen committees looking into it.

Raymond Groutage, Ringwood,, Hampshire, ENGLAND.

In response to Ruth, I hardly think one can judge British society on the basis of two news stories. Imagine our perception of your country if we did.

Joe Bloggs, Manchester,

I "Googled" a map of Barwell - it's not an urban sprawl but a middlesized English village so there MUST be parents and siblings who know if someone in their family got their kicks from targetting this lady & her family. If they have any moral decency they should turn the offenders in. When we had a village bobby, a sense of community & were less absorbed in our own lives anything remotely like this behaviour was firmly nipped in the bud. My heart goes out to the family of Fiona & Frankie.

Sue Southern, Corby, Northants

I have been to the UK three times and loved it. After reading stories such as this, I really would be terrified of traveling to the UK again.

This story along with the one about the soldier urinating on a dying woman says a lot about British society today.

Ruth , Cary , NC USA

I am saddened and sickened by both the appalling stories of hounding and causing or contributing to the deaths that occurred. The victims concerned had so much courage and had to make efforts every day that should earn them respect and admiration by all. The sub-human inadequacies that tormented them should be severely punished as an example to others. But the police and other members of the community let these people down. The support of others may have meant these tragedies would not have occurred. I shall not be able to get the images of their suffering out of my head, nor the knowledge that others looked on and treated such suffering as entertainment. These events should not be forgotten they should make those with the power to change things give serious consideration to how to put right the sickness in society.

L D Tweed , Wembley,

I am absolutely shocked at the news of Fiona Pilkington and her daughter Frankie. What on earth is going on in this country that this could happen, where is the compassion and caring that once stood for being British. I hope that something is done to bring the hooligans to justice, they deserve a spell in prison at the very least. I also have a disabled son, I thank god we don't have that sort of behaviour directed at us, disgusting!

Mavourneen Moore, Braintree, UK

From what people tell me who come here from England, and from what I read in the UK press, I am truly grateful that I no longer live in the UK.

John, Monterrey, Mexico

the way that the ordinary people of this country treat the disbaled is a disgrace. we live in a barbaric nation that has not progressed since the middle ages.
look at the other case today of the man urinating on a dying disbaled woman.

andy ofield, leicester, leicester