A magistrates’ court has banned a south coast newspaper from naming an Asbo teenager – despite the fact it has already revealed the 15-year-old’s identity.

Brighton Magistrates’ Court originally told The Argus it could print the teenager’s name but not his photograph, school and certain other information for fear of reprisals against him.

Now, the court has performed a u-turn and reissued the order – under Section 39 of the Children and Young Person’s Act – only this time banning publication of all the boy’s details.

The Argus challenged the original order in the hope the court would relax the reporting restrictions.

Sadly for the paper, this has instead resulted in the restrictions being tightened further.

Simon Westrop, head of legal at The Argus’s parent company Newsquest, said: “The new order that they have made reimposing a Section 39 does not make much sense given that they allowed the name to be published.

“I will be talking to the editor to see what they will do.

“While I am pleased that the court has recognised that the original order was unlawful, I think it is very odd that the magistrates are now banning the publication of the boy’s name.

“Once it’s out, you can’t put the cat back in the bag, and I think this is likely to cause general confusion.”

Norman Baker and David Lepper, MPs for Lewes and Brighton Pavillion respectively, have both condemned the decision.

Mr Baker said The Argus was “absolutely right on this” while Mr Lepper said the court had gone for the “worst possible option”.