Why the teenagers accused of murdering Brianna Ghey case can't be named
15.02.2023 - 15:43
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Two teenagers have appeared in court charged with the murder of Brianna Ghey. The 16-year-old was found with stab wounds at Culcheth Linear Park in Warrington, Cheshire, on Saturday (February 11).
A 15-year-old boy from Leigh, Wigan, and a 15-year-old girl from Warrington appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court in connection with Brianna's death this morning (Wednesday, February 15).The court was sitting as a youth court.
The two teenagers accused of Brianna's murder cannot be named for legal reasons. Neither were required to enter a plea to the charge.
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They were both remanded into youth custody by District Judge Jack McGarva following the hearing. They will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday (February 16).
Many have questioned why the two teenagers have not been named in media reports.
The law says it is not permitted to report any details which could identify them in connection with youth court proceedings - hearings concerning people under 18. That includes their name, image, address, school or any other details which could lead to their identification.
This is under section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Breaching these rules is illegal.
Those automatic restrictions apply to any person under 18 'concerned' in criminal proceedings - a defendant, witness or victim - in the youth court. The law now extends to social media, so anybody publishing details which risk identification on Twitter, Facebook or other platforms, risks prosecution.
Courts can decide, under certain circumstances, to lift the restrictions, allowing the media to identify the defendant. In many serious cases the media will often apply