Police reverse decision over ASBO photograph (From Warrington Guardian)

Police reverse decision over ASBO photograph

POLICE have decided to release the photograph of a 15-year-old who was made the subject of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Last week solicitors for Cheshire Constabulary would not release the picture of 15-year-old Nicola Jayne Hoare to the Guardian after the ASBO, but have since changed their minds.

Supt Tim Jackson, divisional commander for Congleton and Vale Royal, said: "Currently the release of photographs, particularly in connection with ASBOs being applied for by other agencies is complex and requires careful consideration.

"The decision not to release a photograph on this occasion was made on the basis of the best advice available to us at that time.

"I am well aware that this decision caused considerable consternation amongst one of our partner agencies, Weaver Vale Housing Trust, and was questioned by the editor of the Guardian.

"Unfortunately, the time scales available to us prior to the newspaper going to press did not allow this decision to be reviewed, which I very much regret. The decision has now been reversed and the photograph has been released.

"I fully accept that it would have been more sensible to have run the photograph at the same time as the article."

Hoare was given the ASBO after she assaulted a police officer, threatened school staff with a golf club, used racist and threatening language and caused endless misery to her neighbours.

Cheshire Constabulary solicitors said they would not release the picture last week because they would be the only body to be prosecuted if the defendant took legal action.

Hoare, a Weaver Vale Housing Trust tenant, was given an ASBO that will run until her 18th birthday in 2007.

Speaking this week, the trust's housing manager Jackie Hodgson said: "I am pleased that the photograph of Nicola Hoare has been released.

"The trust's excellent relationship with the police has not been affected by this case and we will continue to work with the police and our other partners to reduce crime and disorder in our neighbourhoods."

phennessey@guardiangrp.co.uk