Sarah Lagan
Manchester Evening News district reporter Dean
Kirby successfully challenged a Section 49 order to name five white
teenagers responsible for a horrific racially-motivated attack on three
Asian schoolboys.
Kirby successfully challenged a Section 49 order to name five white
teenagers responsible for a horrific racially-motivated attack on three
Asian schoolboys.
Rochdale Youth Court heard that an argument
had broken out between the gang and the Asian boys and the following
day they turned up to their school with around 100 youths, chased the
Asian boys and beat them up leaving one teenager unconscious.
had broken out between the gang and the Asian boys and the following
day they turned up to their school with around 100 youths, chased the
Asian boys and beat them up leaving one teenager unconscious.
The MEN wrote to the court in advance of the case
to ask that the restrictions be lifted. Kirby, who writes for the
paper’s Oldham and Rochdale edition, then requested in court that
district judge Alan Berj remove the automatic reporting restriction
arguing it was in the public interest and that justice needed to be
seen to be done. The judge agreed to lift the ban.
to ask that the restrictions be lifted. Kirby, who writes for the
paper’s Oldham and Rochdale edition, then requested in court that
district judge Alan Berj remove the automatic reporting restriction
arguing it was in the public interest and that justice needed to be
seen to be done. The judge agreed to lift the ban.
Deputy news editor Amanda Killelea said: “We felt
it was important that those responsible for such a serious crime were
made an example of and it was a matter of public interest for them to
be identified.”
it was important that those responsible for such a serious crime were
made an example of and it was a matter of public interest for them to
be identified.”
Three of the attackers, who were all aged between
15 and 17, received custodial sentences, one was given a supervision
order and the fifth fled the court during the case and there is a
warrant out for his arrest.
15 and 17, received custodial sentences, one was given a supervision
order and the fifth fled the court during the case and there is a
warrant out for his arrest.
The MEN reported the case on its front page on
Friday, including an exclusive front interview with one of the victims
on page four by reporter Chris Osuh. The story was widely followed up
in the national press over the weekend.
Friday, including an exclusive front interview with one of the victims
on page four by reporter Chris Osuh. The story was widely followed up
in the national press over the weekend.
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