'Vulnerable' Birmingham teenager granted anonymity

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-33260024

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A "vulnerable" teenage girl at risk of sexual exploitation by a group of men has been granted life-long anonymity by a High Court judge.

Last year, Mr Justice Keehan said he was satisfied 10 men from Birmingham had sexually exploited the 17-year-old.

He granted the city council an injunction banning the men from meeting her or other girls aged under 18.

At the time, lawyers believed there was not enough evidence to secure criminal convictions.

Victims of sexual offences are automatically granted anonymity in criminal cases and in November Mr Justice Keehan issued an interim order banning the press from naming the teenager, which he extended on Wednesday.

Earlier in the week, lawyers for Birmingham City Council said she should be protected "for the rest of her life".

The application had been opposed by Times Newspapers and the Press Association, which argued her identity would have been protected by media organisations and that judges should be cautious about filling in gaps in legislation.

'Bold and novel'

Last year, Mr Justice Keehan, sitting in the Family Division of the High Court in London, ruled the 10 men could be named in reports.

The judge granted the injunctions - banning them from approaching any girl under 18 they were not personally associated with - on a balance of probabilities basis.

He described the orders as "fair, proportionate and necessary".

Mr Justice Keehan praised Birmingham City Council's "bold and novel" approach and said he hoped other local authorities would follow its example.

In applying for the injunctions in November, Lorna Meyer QC said if any of the men were were found "in the company of a vulnerable child", the council would seek jail terms for contempt of court.

At the time, the court heard the 17-year-old girl, under local authority care, did not consider herself a victim.