A regional daily has won the right to name a teenager who stabbed a schoolboy even though he will still be under 18 when he is released from prison.

The Sentinel and its Stoke-on-Trent Live sister website successfully argued it was in the public interest to name Joseph Carter, who knifed his victim.

Judge Paul Glenn backed the application by Sentinel court reporter Jon Bamber at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, saying the naming of Carter would serve as a “powerful deterrent” to others.

The teen was sentenced to three years detention after pleading guilty to wounding with intent, attempted wounding with intent, and threatening another with a blade.

Stuart Muldoon, representing Carter, of Maryhill Close, Kidsgrove, opposed the application on the ground that Carter will be a child when he is released from custody.

But Judge Glenn told the court: “The defendant will still only be 17 when he is released. But this is a case where, in my judgement, the rights of the public and the press dictate there should be no restriction in relation to reporting of this defendant’s details.

“I have not seen any evidence that reporting would affect the defendant’s rehabilitation. I confirm there is no reporting restriction in this case.”

The court had heard Carter was drunk when he threatened a cyclist with a serrated bread knife in the park at 3pm on 23 July.

He lashed out at another cyclist causing a small cut to the back of his jacket before stabbing a 13-year-old boy who told him to put the knife down.

After consulting with the senior editorial team, Jon applied for reporting restrictions to be lifted on the grounds that the incident was a matter of public interest.

He told the judge it was a very serious case in which one of the victims was seriously injured, and it was sent to the crown court on the basis he committed grave offences.

Marc Waddington, pictured, editor of Stoke-on-Trent Live and The Sentinel, told HTFP: “This was a horrific and deeply disturbing story, given the gravity of the offence and the age of the offender.

“We felt the public interest was such that readers had a right to know who the boy behind the attack was, and the judge in the case agreed.

“Stoke-on-Trent Live and The Sentinel know that readers were shocked and appalled by this crime, and that they would want – where the law permits – to know who was responsible for it.

“This case goes to show the importance of taking opportunities to challenge reporting restrictions when there is a clear public interest in doing so.”