A weekly newspaper has been warned to take more care after interviewing a 15-year-old boy without parental consent.

A journalist from the Sutton & Epsom Advertiser spoke to the boy after a fight between two gangs at his college, and an article about the incident then appeared which included his name and quote.

Following its publication the boy's mother contacted the Press Complaints Commission.

It agreed there had been a clear breach of Clause 6 (Children) of the Code of Practice, which states that a child under 16 must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another child's welfare without parental consent.

The newspaper said the journalist had assumed the boy was over 16 as they thought all the students at the college were.

It was concerned to hear the boy was only 15, and removed the article from its electronic library system and its website.

The editor also reminded all reporters about the importance of abiding by the Code.

The PCC upheld the complaint and said more care should have been taken in researching and publishing the story, particularly given that the subject matter – gang violence at the college – had, according to the article, left some pupils 'too scared to give their full names for fear of reprisal attacks'.

While it was pleased that the editor had recognised the seriousness of the matter and taken steps to ensure that the problem would not be repeated, the Code had been breached.