The Evening Star, Ipswich, has won the right to identify a teenager who terrorised his neighbours with a torrent of verbal, racial and physical abuse.

The 14-year-old boy has been made the subject of a three-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order after magistrates heard how his persistent offences left some of his victims afraid to leave their homes.

An attempt by the court to ban his identification failed thanks to the Evening Star's representations to the magistrates.

Reporter Mark Bulstrode won the right to name him after successfully arguing that it was in the public interest.

New recruit Mark

The decision also allowed the paper to print a snatched picture of the boy taken at a previous hearing.

It was a particular coup for Mark as he only began working at the Evening Star in July after completing his training at Harlow College.

News editor Colin Adwent said: "It's a daunting task to get up in court, possibly in front of the family of the accused, and make an application.

"It is still daunting for an experienced reporter so we're very pleased with Mark and he deserves a pat on the back.

"Wherever possible we should get a face and a name to go with the ASBO or it's not worth the paper it's written on.

"People need to know who he is, otherwise how is anyone going to know if he has breached the order?"

The ASBO bans the teenager from entering four named Ipswich streets, one food store and all Ipswich Borough Council sports facilities.

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