Letter: Neither villain nor heroine

Was it really necessary to include Louise Woodward in your "Villain of the Year" poll (Section 2, 7 December) in which you invite us as a jury to "vote, vote, vote!" to decide whether she is heroine or villain?

Have you paused to consider that perhaps she is neither, that perhaps she is just a young woman wrongly accused in the tragic death of a baby? After all, her conviction for manslaughter is pending appeal and Miss Woodward maintains her innocence, as she has from the start. Your action only trivialises a serious and tragic case.

Leonard Purcell

Glasgow