The Ipswich Evening Star has named and shamed a teenage hooligan on its front-page, after he carried out a reign of terror against shop staff and customers.

The 14-year-old boy, who appeared before a youth court - which automatically bans any identification - was made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order.

It was imposed by magistrates after an application by Ipswich Borough Council.

The boy was part of a gang causing problems at local shops where some workers were too intimidated to go to work, and he once threatened someone with a gun.

He was served with an anti-social behaviour order and banned from five shops.

Magistrates in Ipswich decided the teenager should be publicly identified after the Star made an application to lift his automatic right to anonymity.

Reporter Matt Eley successfully argued in court that the boy should be named.

Editor Nigel Pickover said it was the first time the paper had had to make such an application, but that he expected to have to make more in the future.

He said: "We appealed to the court to let us identify the boy because he is a menace.

"The paper is working with the council and police to make sure those who would have previously gone unnamed are identified so that the public can make their own judgements."