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The editors convicted of breaking a ban on identifying a child expelled from school are considering an appeal.

Simon Bradshaw, of the Evening Argus, and David Briffett, of the West Sussex County Times, were each fined £2,500 by magistrates after some readers worked out the identity of the youngster.

Section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 bans identification of children if the bench invokes an order.

The article did not name the boy or his school or give his address but the dates of his exclusion allowed people with "some knowledge" of the case to identify the child.

The article itself came through a London agency that covers the High Court, and its staff, along with the Evening Argus and the County Times were happy with the content.

It was published in February last year and the case has taken a year to come to court.

An appeal is being considered by the editors, which could drag the matter out further.

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