An Asperger’s syndrome sufferer has resolved her complaint over a weekly newspaper court story which reported she had the “mental age” of a 12-year-old.

Debbie Booth had complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation under Clause 1 (Accuracy), Clause 3 (Privacy) and Clause 12 (Discrimination) of the Editors’ Code of Practice over the report in the North Devon Journal

She stated she actually had the “emotional age” of a 12-year-old, although the newspaper said the information reported had been heard in court.

The case itself surrounded her boyfriend Steven Boni, who had been accused of beating her.

The Journal offered to amend the online article relating to the case, which the complainant agreed would resolve the matter.

This negated the need for an adjudication from IPSO, and the regulato made no determination as to whether there had been a breach of code.  The resolution statement can be read in full here here.

In a separate case, John Graham complained to IPSO under Clause 1 (Accuracy) after the Belfast Telegraph published an article about depression, which had urged readers to contact mental health charity Mind for “advice and support”.

He pointed out the charity only operates in England and Wales, but the Bel Tel said the article had been published in good faith based on agency copy and printed a clarification.

The complaint was not upheld and the full adjudication can be read here.