The Crown Court in Liverpool has revoked a reporting restriction order which prevented the media reporting the identities of the four adult victims in the criminal proceedings against Paul Doyle arising out of the Liverpool parade car crash.
Mr Doyle faces two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of wounding with intent, two counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of dangerous driving. The four adults, along with two children, are named as complainants in the charges and are intended prosecution witnesses at trial.
The continuation of the order in relation to the adults was opposed by Guardian News & Media Limited, Associated Newspapers Limited, the BBC, Telegraph Media Group Holdings Limited, Sky UK Limited and Independent Television News
The order had been made by the Merseyside Magistrates Court under s.46 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 on the application of the prosecution when Mr Doyle was sent for trial at the Crown Court.
Section 46 gives a power to prevent the reporting of the identity of an adult witness in criminal proceedings where the witness fears or is distressed by the prospect of identification in the media such that their evidence or willingness to cooperate will be diminished.
Revoking the order the Recorder of Liverpool HHJ Menary KC ruled that the four adults were not eligible for protection under s.46 and that even if they were the public interest in the press being allowed to report the charge their identities outweighed the case for prohibiting it.
Gavin Millar KC represented the media organisations instructed by the editorial legal team at Guardian News and Media.
Click here for the full judgment.