Rival dailies have won a court fight to name two child killers – including a 15-year-old defendant who encouraged the newspapers to name him.

The Bolton News and the Manchester Evening News today succeeded in lifting reporting restrictions protecting the identities of James White, 16, and 15-year-old Mark Nuttall.

White and Nuttall’s victim Reece Tansey, 15, was stabbed to death in Bolton on 4 May last year after a fight was arranged via social media.

After the pair were jailed over the killing, News court reporter Joanne Rowe, pictured, and the Manchester Evening News both made submissions calling for Section 45 restrictions, which had protected their identities throughout a four-week trial, to be lifted.

Trial judge Mrs Justice Farbey agreed with the papers’ application as did Clare Ashcroft, defending Nuttall, who stated her client would prefer his identity to be known now rather than upon his scheduled release date, two weeks before he turns 18.

White’s barrister objected to the submission during a hearing at Leicester Crown Court, where Mrs Justice Farbey is sitting today, but the judge agreed the principle of open justice outweighed concerns about the welfare of the defendants.

Richard Duggan, editor of the News, told HTFP: “Joanne live blogged throughout the trial and sentence of the defendants, complying with Section 45 restrictions by naming James White as Boy A and Mark Nuttall as Boy B.

“On conviction she immediately put in a written application to Mrs Justice Farbey requesting that the restrictions be lifted, arguing there is a clear public interest in open justice in this case.

“The judge was sitting at Leicester Crown Court today and so Joanne, along with Tom Molloy from the Manchester Evening News and barristers for the Crown and defendants appeared at a hearing via CVP.

“James White’s barrister objected to reporting restrictions being lifted but Mark Nuttall’s said he would prefer to be named now rather than when he is released and turns 18. Joanne then made verbal representations stressing the widespread concern in society about youths carrying knives.

“As quite rightly observed by Mrs Justice Farbey, the importance for the Bolton community knowing the names of the perpatrators is demonstrated by the attendance of the Bolton News on every day of the trial and at sentence.”

White was detained for 15 years for murder while Nuttall was sentenced to six years for manslaughter following their trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Richard added: “Joanne is the best court reporter I have worked with and her coverage of the case is an exemplary example of the importance of covering court cases from start to finish.”

As well as Tom, MEN journalists involved in covering the case included Tom George and Adam Maidment.

Adam said: “Our submission recognised both boys in question were juveniles, but stated the severity of this tragic case and its aftermath had received a strong reaction from people across the country.

“We successfully argued that naming both boys was not only overwhelmingly in the public interest, but also in the interests of open justice.

“There is a tragic epidemic of knife crime taking over our region. It’s vital the severity of such crimes is recognised, and that it is shown they will be appropriately dealt with in the courts.

“In naming James White and Mark Nuttall, we hope it will form part of a much-needed public debate on juvenile violence which continues to rise throughout the country.

“We thank Mrs Justice Farbey for considering both submissions by the Manchester Evening News and the Bolton News, and for lifting the order.

“We also express our condolences to the family of Reece, who have dealt with this unspeakable tragedy in such a dignified manner.”