AS AN ex-serviceman of 37 years, I was totally appalled to read the front page of today’s Journal (January 21).

Please someone explain how Gunner Hack could possibly escape both a long jail sentence and still be serving in Her Majesty’s Forces having carried out the actions listed in the article.

We read daily the police forces all over Britain are trying to reduce knife crime, especially among the younger generation, by asking for longer jail sentences, and here we have a serviceman, who is “well thought of at work, a top gunner”, being given a suspended jail term and community service having threatened to kill his wife and stab his father and stabbed his mother.

What planet was the judge on when sentencing? Do the army really want to retain the services of a person so obviously unstable as Hack is?

Having appeared with his case on the front page of a newspaper, he has brought the army in to disrepute so should be automatically discharged and for his crimes he should now be serving a very long jail sentence.

I am absolutely disgusted.

GRAHAM PHILP BEM Wo Retd Durrington