Madoff 'took rest of our lives'

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The judge who will sentence the disgraced US financier Bernard Madoff has received more than 100 letters from angry victims of Madoff's fraud.

Victims have written to New York District Judge Denny Chin, calling Madoff a "monster", with some equating his crimes with those of murderers.

In March, Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 charges that he masterminded a $50bn (£35bn) investment fraud.

He will be sentenced on 29 June and could be jailed for up to 150 years.

At the age of 71, Madoff is likely to spend the rest of his life in jail.

"Please don't let his brilliant criminal mind loose to do it again," wrote Steve Norton, who lost $1.1m in retirement money. "He took the rest of our lives. Don't give him his back."

Judith Welling of New York said Madoff should be placed "in a prison commensurate with his crimes, ie with other convicted murderers, for that is the ultimate result of his crimes".

Judge Chin received 113 letters and e-mails from people who had lost money in the Madoff scandal. Many urged him to sentence Madoff to the maximum 150 years in prison.

Madoff's lawyer, Ira Lee Sorkin, said he would address the letters his submissions to the court or at the time of sentencing.