"A youth of 17 was last night charged with the murder of schoolboy Rhys Jones.The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons .... "
So just why has it been forbidden for so many decades to name criminal youths? What social purpose does it serve to 'protect' scrotes of any age?
Where an indictable offence has been committed this anonymity should be waived in all cases.
With summary offences and much younger offenders - well perhaps.
Post conviction however, all names should be in the public domain. If families are embarrassed - then good!
It is rare that secrecy serves a positive purpose and here it contributes to high levels of youth crime.
I wonder how many of my readers had realised that youth court proceedings are not open to the public either. A victory for the hand-wringing left who do not want individuals to have to take responsibility for their actions.
