A reporter quoted the Crime and Sentences Act 1997 to win a lifting of reporting restrictions at a youth court hearing involving a teenage thug.

Paul Keaveny, a reporter on the Bolton Evening News, went to the youth court where the 17-year-old gang leader was facing a string of serious charges including attacking a policeman.

He knew that an Anti Social Behaviour Order would be issued at the end of the case.

Paul approached the court clerk who told him there was no reason why the youth should be named.

The prosecution, despite calls from the police and council, said they would not support the newspaper’s application and would remain “neutral.”

So Paul, equipped with his law notes, quoted the Crime and Sentences Act 1997 (which amended the Children and Young Persons Act 1933), which said reporting restrictions would be lifted in a youth court if there was sufficient evidence that it was in the public interest to do so.

He also pointed out that the police and council wanted publicity to deter the other members of the teenager’s gang.

“The serious nature of the incidents and the fact that Wilson was almost 18 added to our case,” said Paul.

His persuasive argument convinced the chairman of the bench who lifted reporting restrictions.

Bolton Evening News editor Steve Hughes said: “It is unbelievable that with all the publicity surrounding ASBOs, and despite Home Office Guidance, that we still have to ask for restrictions to be lifted in cases such as this.”