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Paper wins right to name and shame despite secrecy bid

The Eastern Daily Press won the right to name two teenage tearaways who breached the anti-social behaviour orders imposed on them, after it successfully challenged a bid to keep their names out of the press.

Defence solicitors for the two girls – aged 16 and 17 – argued that their identities should be kept secret, but reporter Emily Dennis said that their names were already in the public domain as it had already been reported they were subject of ASBOs.

Magistrates agreed, allowing the EDP to “name and shame”.

Chairman of the magistrates Gill Johnson told the Yarmouth court: “We feel that in this particular case, it would be in the public’s interest to identify these girls and this outweighs their right of anonymity.

“The public should be reassured that breaches of ASBOs are being enforced and we do not regard the identification of these girls as adding to any punishment that may be imposed.”

The two girls were given community punishment orders after they admitted breaching their ASBOs – imposed only two months ago after magistrates heard how they plagued central Yarmouth.

As part of the order they were banned from associating with each other, but a passing patrol had spotted the pair together outside a hotel. The defence said it had been a chance encounter.

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