WHEN an interim Anti-Social Behaviour Order was imposed by Swindon Magistrates against 13-year-old Liam Walsh from Penhill, his representative in court argued that his name should be kept secret.

The reason given was that the teenager was accused of "boisterous" rather than criminal behaviour.

But as borough solicitor Francis Maples told the court, it is not mere boisterousness to, among other things, allegedly throw objects at passing buses or make senior citizens reluctant to venture outdoors at night.

Mr Maples, backed by the Evening Advertiser's court reporter, successfully argued that the public had a right to the protection of knowing his identity.

The council now plans to leaflet 2,500 local homes, picturing Walsh and explaining the interim order.

What a pity we can't tell you the name of Wiltshire's other ASBO recipient a youth who brought misery to another part of the area.

Sadly, another court decided that protecting his anonymity was more important than protecting the community's right to know the identity of an anti-social element in their midst.