The Lancashire Evening Post has slammed magistrates who ruled that the paper could not publish specific details about a boy made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order.

The Johnston Press-owned newspaper successfully overturned a court order which would have prevented it from naming the schoolboy.

But it has been prevented from giving details of the boy’s age, where he lives, or from publishing his photograph – and has not been given an explanation as to why.

Reporting on the anti-social behaviour order, the Evening Post condemned the legal ruling which also stops the paper giving out full details of the criminal activities the boy was involved in.

It told readers: “Schoolboy Thomas Kenny has been banned from a Preston community – but we can’t tell you why.

“The courts have ordered Kenny off the streets of Fishwick as he is a menace to the community – but we can’t show you his face, tell you his age, or say where he lives.

“This legal ruling shows contempt for the public, for the police and makes the democratic process a farce.”