The Lincolnshire Echo has hit out at a decision which has prevented it from naming a 15-year-old with a history of violence.

The newspaper submitted an application to magistrates to name the boy, who appeared in court for hitting a grandfather over the head with a bucket.

The teenager admitted causing malicious wounding and was given an 18-month supervision order – but the Youth Court ruled that an automatic ban on naming him – under section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 – would remain to protect his identity.

Echo news editor Mel West said that on this occassion there was “no justification” for keeping the boy’s indentity under wraps.

She told HoldtheFrontPage: “He is a persistent offender who is well-known to us and who has been part of a number of prominent news stories.

“People have a right to know who he is.”

As part of its coverage of the case, the Echo published in full its application letter to the court from its solicitors – to show readers the reasoning behind its appeal.

It said as the boy had previous convictions and was categorised as “a persistent young offender” it would be in the public interest to name him.

As a result, a number of readers got in touch with the paper to voice their support.

Mel said: “We have had a few readers saying it is ridiculous.

“But I think some almost expect the courts to let them down and they would have been more surprised if he had been allowed to be named.”

The court the teenager had a string of previous convictions, including common assault, assaulting a police officer and intimidation of a witness.