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May 2, 2014

Judge issues warning over naming child accused of killing teacher Ann Maguire

By PA Media Lawyer

A judge has issued a stark warning to social media users not to prejudice the case of a 15-year-old boy accused of stabbing teacher Ann Maguire to death in her classroom.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said serious consequences could follow for individuals who named the teenager online or published other information covered by reporting restrictions.

Judge Marson made the comments as he remanded the youth – who cannot be named for legal reasons – in custody at Leeds Crown Court today.

The child was named in The Sun after his arrest but reporting restrictions are now in place following his first court appearance.

The teenager appeared by video-link 24 hours after he appeared yesterday at the city's youth court accused of murdering Mrs Maguire, 61, as she taught a lesson at Corpus Christi Catholic College on Monday morning.

The judge said journalists generally understood the restrictions that applied in the case but added: "What may not be understood by many is that these constraints and prohibitions apply also generally, including users of online social media sites and bloggers.

"They are just as much bound by these constraints as are the press.

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"The consequences for individuals, I would emphasise, can be serious if there is a breach."

The boy appeared in court on two large video screens from the centre where he is being held.

Neither his parents nor any family of Mrs Maguire were in court.

Dressed in a purple and yellow halved sweatshirt and matching trousers, the teenager stared at the floor for part of the 15-minute hearing but also looked straight at the camera, occasionally pushing his fringe off his face.

Richard Wright QC, defending, said there would be no application for bail.

Judge Marson said the youth will next appear at Leeds Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on July 11 and fixed a provisional trial date for 3 November.

Mr Wright, prosecutor Paul Greaney QC and the judge all sat in court without their normal wigs and gowns and dispensed with some of the normal protocols of the Crown Court due to the defendant's age.

The judge made an order giving the teenager anonymity under section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, but amended it to make clear that the name of thje school where Mrs Maguire was attacked could be named after Mr Greaney agreed that it would be "absurd" not too identify it, given the publicity which it has already received.

Meanwhile, police confirmed that a second teenager was arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing.

West Yorkshire Police said the boy was arrested yesterday and later released without charge.

The force would not confirm what offence he was arrested on suspicion of, but said it was not murder.

Mrs Maguire was months away from retiring after working at Corpus Christi for more than 40 years when she was stabbed in front of pupils.

Police have confirmed that she died from multiple stab wounds.

Mrs Maguire's death is the first time a teacher has been stabbed to death in a British classroom, and the first killing of a teacher in a school since the 1996 Dunblane massacre.

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