A weekly newspaper reporter successfully overturned reporting restrictions banning the identification of a youth on trial for manslaughter.

Scott Hampson, 18, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of 93-year-old Yuen Har Ho, who died in December after a fire at her flat in Harrogate.

The fire was started after another youth let off a firework in an empty bin in front of the pensioner’s home.

Hampson was originally subject to a section 39 ruling banning his identification, but it was lifted on Thursday after representations from Harrogate Advertiser reporter Ruby Kitchen.

News editor Tom Hay said: “This is the first time Ruby has challenged a reporting restriction. We don’t get too many crimes of this magnitude in Harrogate.”

Mrs Ho was rescued from the fire, but died nearly two months later.

Three other youths, Jordan Lee, 14, of Harrogate, Ryan Wilson, 14, of Scarborough, and Charles Francis 17, of Harrogate, have already admitted their guilt in relation to the incident and will face sentence in May.

The trial is expected to conclude this week.