The Lincolnshire Echo has won the right to name a teenage tearaway who was the first resident in Lincoln to get an anti-social behaviour order.

Magistrates invoked the anti-social behaviour order after hearing how Paul David Fisher, (14), subjected dozens of elderly and vulnerable members of the public to abuse over a two year period.

In imposing the order, magistrates also took the unusual step of lifting reporting restrictions following representations from the Lincolnshire Echo.

Magistrates had previously enforced a Section 39 order under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, banning his identification. Both Lincolnshire Police and representatives acting for Fisher objected to it being lifted.

But the Echo successfully argued that the community should be made aware of the full details of the anti-social behaviour order and that its enforcement will be greatly enhanced by publicity.

In his ruling, the presiding magistrate told Fisher: “We believe that the effectiveness of the order in your case will largely depend on others in the community knowing the details about the court order.

“We will therefore allow the press to publish details about you.”

As part of the anti-social behaviour order Fisher is banned from roaming around areas of Lincoln without adult supervision, must remain indoors between 10pm and 6am each day, and cannot associate with five specific former friends.

The order is valid for two years and failure to comply will lead to his arrest.

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