Manchester-based Cavendish Press staged a courtroom intervention when a judge ruled that a man on trial for rape could not be named under the Children and Young Persons Act.

Judge Adrian Lyon agreed to defence counsel’s request for a Section 39 order preventing identification of an 18-year-old rape suspect – even though the law only applies to defendants aged 17 and below.

The counsel had argued that as Hoyle was only 16 when the rape took place, he was entitled to anonymity.

But Cavendish news editor Jon Harris wrote a letter to the judge at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester asking for “clarification” after the blip was pointed out by the company’s court reporter Alison Pilkington.

After reading the letter Judge Lyon thanked her and agreed to tear up the order.

The defendant was later convicted of raping a 73-year-old woman in her home in Rochdale.

Alison said later: “Even when I went up to court to try and clarify things verbally the defence barristers insisted he was entitled to anonymity because he was 16 at the time of the offence.

“When the judge read our letter he said he would tear up the order unless the barristers could think of a good reason why the defendant could not be named. Naturally they couldn’t.”

Back to the law index

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