A regional daily has won the right to name a teenage killer in order to “bring justice to the family and friends of his victim”.

Sheffield daily The Star successfully challenged a court order protecting 17-year-old murderer Emar Wiley, who has been jailed for at least 16 years after being found guilty of stabbing 21-year-old father Lewis Bagshaw to death.

Reporter Steve Jones successfully argued The Star’s case in front of trial judge Mr Justice Nicklin at Sheffield Crown Court.

In lifting the automatic order, Mr Justice Nicklin said the argument came down “decisively in favour” of naming Wiley, who was 16 when he committed the murder.

The Star splashed on the sentencing on Tuesday

Steve told HTFP: “The Star argued the serious nature of his crimes meant he did not deserve the privilege of anonymity and it was in the public’s interest to name him.

“Due to the high-profile nature of the case, the identity of the killer was already known to many from his neighbourhood and further afield.

“We also felt that naming him would bring justice to the family and friends of his victim, 21-year-old father Lewis Bagshaw.

“Full disclosure of his identity would also show justice has been done and is being seen to be done.”

Mr Justice Nicklin had told the court Wiley was operating a “significant drugs operation” in the Southey Green area of Sheffield at the age of 16.

Wiley had also pleaded guilty to GBH at the beginning of the trial for the assault on Daniel Cutts, Bagshaw’s father.

Steve said: “On that basis we argued Wiley was already a hardened criminal in an adult world, not a naive youngster.

“The prosecution and defence barristers, as well as the police, wanted to keep Wiley’s identity a secret in the interest of his welfare and community tensions.

“But Justice Nicklin concluded: ‘risks to Mr Wiley’s safety are speculative and not supported by credible evidence.'”

He added: “As Wiley will turn 18 in December, he could be identified then as he will officially be an adult.

“Mr Justice Nicklin said it was ‘difficult to identify any’ additional harm he may suffer from his identification being brought forward by just a few months.

“We also argued the public interest outweighed any concerns for Wiley and the significant time gap before his release would not impact on his rehabilitation when he leaves prison.”