A YOUNG York vandal or shoplifter given an anti-social behaviour order has his name and picture published. Quite right.

Shame is part of the punishment, and his neighbours need to recognise him to report any breaches of that ASBO.

But a York 17-year-old who threatened an elderly couple then broke the nose of a good Samaritan who came to their aid retains his anonymity.

This is despite the fact that the attacker has previous convictions for assault and affray.

York magistrates said they were appalled by Adam Duxbury's injuries and the "awful intimidation" of the pensioners.

Yet they rejected our application to name this young thug, whose crimes were worse than many committed by the ASBO squad.

The decision to suppress the youth's identity serves neither the public interest nor judicial consistency.

Updated: 11:15 Wednesday, May 11, 2005