A LAW protecting the identities of offenders who breach anti-social behaviour orders (Asbo) has been scrapped.

The Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill, which removes the automatic anonymity for offenders who appear in youth court for Asbo breaches, has now received Royal Assent.

In January, that anonymity allowed Darlington Youth Court to protect the identity of a 14-year-old locked up for breaching an unprecedented four-year Asbo.

A legal bid by The Northern Echo to be allowed to name him was rejected by magistrates, even though the persistent offender had previously been named and shamed by Darlington Borough Council.

Under the new ruling, there will be no such reporting restrictions.

Former Durham police chief Lord Brian Mackenzie said: "I am delighted the law has been overturned. I have always been in favour of someone who breaches their Asbo being identified, as it acts as a deterrent to others.

"I have never quite understood why it was okay for the offender to be identified when the Asbo was issued, but have their identity protected when they breach it.

"If someone is causing mayhem in their community, they deserve to be named and shamed."

Lord Mackenzie, who grew up in Darlington, added: "If the law isn't working properly, that is when people take advantage of it and take matters into their own hands, which we simply don't want."

The decision is also supported by Darlington MP Alan Milburn, who had criticised the courts for protecting offenders' identities.

He said: "The Government was right to address this anomaly. It is right that those who breach anti-social behaviour orders are brought before the court and are duly named and shamed so the community knows the identity of those people committing the offences."

Council leader John Williams said: "This is a change for the better and news that won't just be welcomed by the council, but the whole community."