A judge has overturned his own order banning the identification of a teenager, following an application by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Judge Andrew Blake had originally imposed a Section 39 order at a Preston Crown Court hearing after being told that the family of a teenager had been subjected to abuse when his case was reported.

But following an application by Evening Telegraph assistant editor Nick Nunn, the judge decided to lift reporting restrictions.

The youth was made the subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order earlier this year after magistrates were told he had a ‘pied piper’ effect on other youngsters, leading them into petty crime.

Part of that order banned him from talking to anyone under the age of 16, but at a hearing last week conditions were altered and he is now banned only from talking to six named individuals aged under 16.

Judge Blake said that the alterations to the conditions were only minor.

But the Evening Telegraph’s assistant editor told the court that the order made it impossible for the paper to report on changes.

He also argued that the youth’s details were already in the public domain.

In lifting reporting restrictions, Judge Blake told the court: “We are satisfied that these orders, which are relatively recent, are meant to be publicised.

“That is the whole point about them.

“We have had to balance the disadvantages to the family against the public’s right to know and the philosophy behind these orders which is that they should know.”