Press not allowed to show yob's face (From Free Press Series)

Press not allowed to show yob's face

MAGISTRATES banned the press from showing the face of a yob who broke a strict anti-social behaviour order three times.

Luke James Davies, aged 17, of Blaenavon, was banned from his street and only allowed to enter his house through the back door under the terms of the ASBO imposed in January.

Last week he was given four months detention for breaking the order three times.

But magistrates Kenneth Davis, Kathleen Starr and Janet Anderton, sitting at Cwmbran Youth Court, banned local newspapers from publishing Davies' picture, and said we can't print the name of the street he lives on.

Yet in January, our sister paper the South Wales Argus successfully argued that the press should name and picture Davies, and that newspaper stories had helped neighbours identify Davies so they could tell police he breached his ASBO.

The decision came despite Home Office advice in March that said publicising ASBO cases is 'essential' and publicity should be the norm. The bench did not give reasons for their decision.

Magistrates imposed the strict order after Davies admitted a seven-month reign of terror that included damage to property and shouting abuse at neighbours.

Paul Moore, prosecuting, told the court Davies breached his interim ASBO by walking in the street on December 21, and twice in one day on January 30, just 12 days after the full ASBO was imposed.

Mr Moore said: "He was simply in an area where he shouldn't have been. He was seen by neighbours in the area, and they were asked to report any breaches to the appropriate authorities."

Helen Roddick, defending, said: "Luke doesn't have an excuse for his behaviour. He said he found the steps (to his back door) very tiring some days. He didn't think. He left his property and went the wrong way. The neighbours are watching closely."

Ms Roddick said Davies was trying hard to stick to the ASBO and to stay out of his street.

She added: "It is a serious allegation but he is not now causing trouble around his house for his neighbours."

The court heard Davies has six previous convictions for offences including burglary and theft, but has so far been given referral orders and community punishments.

Chairman of the magistrates bench Kenneth Davis told Davies: "You were made aware when this ASBO was imposed that any breach could lead to a custodial sentence, and only such a sentence can be considered now."

Davies was given a four-month detention and training order.