Child offenders jailed for murder or rape could be granted lifelong anonymity
Government proposals mean the names of Robert Thompson and John Venables, who murdered toddler James Bulger in 1992, would never have been made public
CHILD offenders locked up for murder or rape could be granted lifelong anonymity under government proposals.
A review of youth justice claims a ban on revealing their identity would help to reduce reoffending rates.
Had such rules already been in place, the names of Robert Thompson and John Venables, who murdered toddler James Bulger in 1992, would never have been made public.
Currently, only minors dealt with by the youth courts are granted anonymity.
If a crime is so serious that it goes to crown court, judges can apply an anonymity order that automatically expires when the defendant turns 18.
The legislation does not apply to suspects in police investigations.
But the proposals published on the government’s website would mean child convicts or suspects would never be named publicly, regardless of the offence.
Michael Gove ordered the review when he was Justice Secretary amid concerns that 67 per cent of young offenders commit another crime within a year of release.
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Shauneen Lambe, from the Just for Kids Law charity, said the naming and shaming is detrimental to child convicts.
She told The Times: “The argument for anonymity is that children are different from adults.
“They should be given the best chance for rehabilitation and reintegration.”