This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/5404008.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Secret witness hiding from gang | Secret witness hiding from gang |
(about 16 hours later) | |
A woman who agreed to testify anonymously against gangs of anti-social youths has gone into hiding after her identity was revealed. | A woman who agreed to testify anonymously against gangs of anti-social youths has gone into hiding after her identity was revealed. |
She was to give evidence about drug dealing and vandalism in her street and enable Liverpool City Council to serve Anti-social Behaviour Orders (Asbos). | She was to give evidence about drug dealing and vandalism in her street and enable Liverpool City Council to serve Anti-social Behaviour Orders (Asbos). |
However court documents revealing her age, sex and street enabled the gang to deduce the 62-year-old's identity. | However court documents revealing her age, sex and street enabled the gang to deduce the 62-year-old's identity. |
The council said it was regrettable but she was told of the potential risk. | The council said it was regrettable but she was told of the potential risk. |
The woman's home in Chilvers Street, Liverpool, is now boarded-up after the gangs discovered she had compiled evidence of alleged anti-social behaviour - the case has collapsed. | The woman's home in Chilvers Street, Liverpool, is now boarded-up after the gangs discovered she had compiled evidence of alleged anti-social behaviour - the case has collapsed. |
My mother is on the verge of a breakdown Robert Croxton | My mother is on the verge of a breakdown Robert Croxton |
"My mother is on the verge of a breakdown," said her son, Robert Croxton. | "My mother is on the verge of a breakdown," said her son, Robert Croxton. |
"She is absolutely distraught with fear." | "She is absolutely distraught with fear." |
He added: "I said: 'Mum, what is it you have done wrong? You have stood up for your community'." | |
The council wanted to use her evidence to obtain five Asbos but when police served papers the gang saw her age, gender and street on the orders and a gang gathered outside her house. | The council wanted to use her evidence to obtain five Asbos but when police served papers the gang saw her age, gender and street on the orders and a gang gathered outside her house. |
A council statement said it was "extremely regrettable" the woman's identity had been revealed. | A council statement said it was "extremely regrettable" the woman's identity had been revealed. |
But it said a certain level of detail has to be given to the court in order to prove that alleged incidents had taken place. | But it said a certain level of detail has to be given to the court in order to prove that alleged incidents had taken place. |
The council said it carried an element of risk and it was fully discussed with the family. | The council said it carried an element of risk and it was fully discussed with the family. |