Two teenage robbers have been named in print after a local paper challenged a reporting restriction imposed by a Crown Court judge.

Judge Peter Stretton lifted reporting restrictions because he decided a CS gas attack on a shopkeeper was “so serious” that the public had the right to know who was in the gang that carried it out.

The Nottingham Evening Post was then able to identify the youths and publish a dramatic picture of a shop assistant being sprayed in the face during the attack in a village shop near Nottingham.

The Post applied for restrictions to be lifted, saying the public should know who the youngsters were.

Post editor Graham Glen said: “The protection of the identity of juveniles involved in court cases is, as a general rule, a good thing.

“Too often, though, courts waive their right to lift reporting restrictions in exceptional cases.

“It is refreshing to hear from Derby Crown Court that Judge Peter Stretton lifted restrictions on the naming of two teenage members of a gang involved in an appalling attack on Sandiacre shopkeeper.

“The trader was temporarily blinded and suffered terrible pain when CS gas was sprayed in her face by the robbers, who took cash from her till.

“Judge Stretton has locked up the gang but has also rightly ensured that the younger members will not escape public shame.”

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