The press watchdog has partially upheld a complaint against a regional daily’s website over a court report which gave an inaccurate address for the defendant.

Donald O’Leary complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that ipswichstar.co.uk breached Clauses 1 (Accuracy), 2 (Privacy), and 3 (Harassment) of the Editors’ Code in a story headlined ‘Ipswich man accused of selling holidays that never happened.’

O’Leary appeared before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court last June charged with a number of counts of fraud by false representation between 2019 and 2024.

IPSO partially upheld the complaints relating to accuracy while dismissing those relating to privacy and harassment.

The report, which appeared online only, referred to O’Leary’s address as both “Bramford Road” and “Bramford Lane” within the text.

As the court notes had included the accurate address – Bramford Lane – the Code Committee ruled that the newspaper had not taken care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, in breach of Clause 1 (i).

The newspaper also stated that O’Leary’s bail conditions included reporting to police daily, but the complainant provided a court document which did not include this provision.

Again, the Committee considered the newspaper had not taken care not to publish inaccurate misleading or distorted information on this point, in further breach of Clause 1 (i).

A third complaint of inaccuracy, that the newspaper had incorrectly reported the number of charges against O’Leary, was not upheld.

IPSO ruled that while there was conflicting information in regard to the charges, the newspaper was entitled to rely on the figure of 26 given in the court log as this was an official court document.

The watchdog ordered the publication to publish a correction as a footnote to the original report, making clear the complainant’s address and the nature of his bail conditions.

The complaint was partially upheld and the full ruling can be read here.