Judges have rejected a regional daily’s bids to name both a 15-year-old rapist and a 17-year-old would-be robber.

The Manchester Evening News appealed to the presiding judges in two separate cases, urging them to lift reporting restrictions protecting the offenders in question.

The rapist, now 16, was sentenced to six years detention in a young offender institution after stalking a “drunk and vulnerable” student before leading her down an alley into the back yard of a shop and raping her.

A jury at Manchester Crown Court, pictured, had rejected his claim that he had consensual sex with the woman, and he was convicted of rape and theft of the woman’s phone following a trial.

But despite the rapist’s victim telling the court she has had trouble sleeping and lost weight since the attack, while her university work has also been affected, Recorder Paul Reid QC rejected the MEN’s call for reporting restrictions to be lifted.

The second case saw a 17-year-old plead guilty to attempted robbery at Manchester Youth Court, which saw a cyclist dragged along the floor as he clung to his bike.

His victim suffered two black eyes, bruising and soreness to the ribs and lower back in the attack, although Emily Lloyd, defending, claimed the defendant was “extremely remorseful” and should be given “one final chance.”

The MEN argued naming him would be in the public interest, but the defendant’s layer had opposed this, claiming it would be “unfair” to “single him out” and that naming him would have a “detrimental impact” on him and his family.

Chair of the bench Carol Greene told the court magistrates had weighed up the welfare of the defendant against the principle of open justice.

She said: “We can assure the court that justice will be done today. But we don’t think that this particular individual needs to be named.”

Magistrates sentenced the teenager to a 12 month youth rehabilitation order, which includes working with the youth offender’s team, and a three month curfew from 8pm to 7am.

HTFP has approached the MEN for a comment on both cases.