The Argus in Brighton has failed in its bid to overturn a ban on identifying a 15-year-old Asbo teenager – despite the fact it has already named the boy.

When the case was heard earlier this year The Argus was free to name the boy but not print his photograph for fear of reprisals against him.

Brighton Magistrates Court then performed a u-turn, saying that no details could be published which might lead to his identification.

The youth was made the subject of an interim Asbo in January which has now expired.

At the latest hearing, a reporter asked the court to be able to challenge the restriction made under Section 39 of the Children and Young Person’s Act.

But The Argus reports that the clerk advised magistrates not to hear the challenge.

The new Asbo applies for six months and prohibits the youth from damaging property and having alcohol or being drunk in public. He must also not be in a public place between 10pm and 6am without his parents or a council employee.

The public will be less likely to identify him though if he were to breach these orders because of the reporting restrictions placed on The Argus.

The case received the backing of local MPs, one of whom said The Argus was “absolutely right” in this instance.