Batley News reporter Claire Armstrong has stood up in court to challenge a reporting restriction – only six months into her first reporting job.

Claire, (24), a graduate of last year’s postgraduate diploma in print journalism at Trinity & All Saints in Leeds, managed to persuade magistrates at Dewsbury not to impose reporting restrictions on a 16-year-old boy given an ASBO.

She said: “On Monday I was sent to cover ongoing ASBO proceedings for three people accused of terrorising a local estate.

“They were all alleged to have been part of a gang called the Wilton Warriors, who were accused of throwing bricks at taxis, theft, arson and racially-aggravated hate crimes.

“We had reported on them, and other members of the gang, for quite a few weeks without any reporting restrictions being imposed.”

One of the alleged gang members, a 15-year-old boy, requested a full ASBO hearing so magistrates adjourned the matter until a later date and gave him an interim ASBO.

Claire said: “I was surprised to hear the court clerk invite the boy’s solicitor to ask for a Section 39 order. The clerk then asked whether any members of the press had anything to say.”

Claire said she offered to speak on behalf of herself and a reporter from the Yorkshire Evening Post.

She said: “I didn’t have a copy of McNae’s with me, so I had to think quickly.

“I said the boy’s name had already been in both our papers and I had a copy to prove it. I also said the public would need to know about the boy’s interim ASBO to be able to spot any breaches.

“I was reading from notes but I was so nervous. My hands were shaking.

“What made it even more nerve-wracking was that two other hacks were in the room, but when I sat back down again they said I had done a great job.”

Despite Claire’s attempts, the magistrates imposed a S39 order.

But she knew another minor was in court in the afternoon, so went back to the office to pick up a copy of McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists.

She said: “The 16-year-old appearing in the afternoon had agreed to a full ASBO so I thought I might have a better chance this time.

“Again, I was invited to make representations to the magistrates. I quoted some case law in which a judge said it would be rare for the media to be restricted ‘in any way, shape or form’ from reporting ASBOs.”

The magistrates went out to deliberate and when they came back they said they were not going to impose a S39.

The chairman, Joan Obbard, said: “It is our belief everyone will have to know you have got an order, otherwise it doesn’t become effective.”

Claire said: “I was over the moon. The scenario I faced was similar to a simulation concocted by law tutor David Crossland when I was on my course. In it, I had to stand up in class and persuade Judge Crossland not to impose a S39 on a youth whose name had already appeared in the paper.

“It had obviously prepared me well for the real thing.”

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