I WAS contacted last week by a university law student who wanted me to take part in a questionnaire about ASBOs.
He flattered me with phrases like 'expert in your profession' and it worked. I was ticking boxes before I knew it.
The main thrust of his research was whether publicising an ASBO, when the subject is a child, is necessary?
My job as the Lancashire Telegraph crime reporter is the reason I was contacted in the first place.
Coincidentally, two days later I had to put my reasoned arguments into practice, stung into action by a cheeky application from a solicitor.
Jonathon Taylor was involved in both the 'Witches of Whitebirk' and 'Tiny Terrors' ASBO hearings on Thursday representing some of the school-age defendants at Blackburn magistrates.
Now, ASBO hearings concerning children generally take place on a Thursday, which is youth court day.
Anyone in a youth court has an automatic anonymity.
However, for an ASBO application, the hearing is turned into an adult court, for the precise reason that ASBOs and 'naming and shaming' go hand-in-hand.
The argument is - what's the point of giving someone an ASBO if nobody knows about it?
Mr Taylor argued that as Tori Duxbury, 15, was a child, putting her name in the media would be counter-productive.
Claire Knight, for 16-year-old fellow 'Whitebirk Bitches' member Amanda Holt, 16, concurred.
Fortunately, with my questionnaire answers fresh in my mind, I made a counter-argument claiming that reporting restrictions in an ASBO hearing would set a 'dangerous precedent'.
Prosecutor Rachel Fung, for the police, made an impassioned plea in my support and the magistrates bench found in our favour - and that of the 'public interest' - which they said outweighed that of the girls.
And that is how Lancashire Telegraph readers came to know of both ASBO cases this week, with some of the victims of Duxbury, Holt and Scott and Dylan Hibbert letting out a small cheer from inside the courtroom.
Because for those residents, blighted for months by these children and some even driven to the brink of suicide and hiding out in their own homes, publicity was victory.
It is public recognition that their decision to 'take a stand', say 'enough is enough' and give statements to police has brought about this result.
They know that their lone voice against a daily tide of intimidation has been heard and, because of the publicity, so do other victims of anti-social behaviour.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel