South Wales Argus editor Gerry Keighley has spoken out after the paper was banned from naming a man who admitted makingand possessing more than 100 indecent images of children on his computer.

Gerry Keighley

The judge at the man’s trial did not make a banning order but a High Court judge later ruled that naming the man could have a “detrimental” effect on a child unconnected with the case.

The order meant the Argus could not even reveal which town in its circulation area the man was from.

The banning order was made by a judge sitting in the Family Division of the High Court, and now Gerry has warned about the increase in family courts making banning orders on criminal cases.

He said: “This practice is now becoming almost commonplace.

“We can see no proper reason for these orders but the result is that justice is not being seen to be done.

“A man who has admitted having disgusting images of children on his computer is now benefiting from anonymity.”

Back to the law index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]