The Evening Gazette has finally been able to name a 14-year-old who was made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order.

In December the paper was prevented from identifying the boy by district judge James Prowse, sitting at Teesside Magistrates Court.

He banned publication of his name until January 8 pending any possible appeal.

Following the judge’s decision the Evening Gazette challenged the naming ban, with editor Steve Dyson and reporter Matheus Sanchez putting the paper’s case forward during a 90-minute hearing.

But their bid failed as judge Prowse said that although he accepted the need for publicity to help enforce the order, reporting restrictions would stay in place for four weeks because the teenager’s solicitors said they might consider appealing.

Now the Evening Gazette has finally been allowed to name the 14-year-old as the deadline for any appeal has expired.

Steve Dyson said: “We will always fight to name those who are subject to anti-social behaviour orders. They are imposed with good reason.

“This was not a one-off incident involving a misguided youth. An entire neighbourhood was affected, hitting the lives of scores of people.

“The court felt he needed to be taught a lesson. By imposing the order that lesson hit home hard.

“By naming him it will hit harder, and send a message to any youths considering emulating him. There must be no hiding place for this sort of tearaway.”

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