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Open justice wins through court anonymity bid

A court move to keep the identity of a defendant anonymous in a bid to protect his children – who had no connection with the case – has failed.

Middlesbrough Council’s Protection Agency made the application under the Human Rights Act, not to protect the victim or witnesses, but his children.

Judge Armstrong had to adjourn the case for legal representations after a request by court reporter Malcolm Pickering of the Evening Gazette.

The request was withdrawn at the 11th hour following a letter by the paper’s lawyers and legal submissions by barrister Jane Phillips.

Editor Paul Robertson, who had teamed up for the court challenge with Northern Echo editor Peter Barron, said: “This attempt to prevent identity had huge implications. Had the Protection Agency been successful then every parent who is a criminal could try to seek anonymity.

“In a way it is shame we have gone to all this trouble and expense without it going to trial. It is extremely worrying the length some bodies will go to in a bid to prevent open justice.”

The man admitted an offence of indecency with a child and was jailed for nine months.

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