TEENAGE tearaway Michael Greenaway can now be named after the Standard fought to lift the veil of annonymity protecting his name.

Greenaway, 16 was orginally given an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) on April 21 after he was used threatening words and behaviour towards others on a number of occasions.

But less than a month later he was arrested for brawling with another teenager in Cricklade Street.

However calls to the paper revealed his identity was common knowledge around Cirencester and when he broke his ASBO conditions the Standard decided to appeal to the courts to reveal his name.

The Standard believes it is in the public interest to name tearaways like Greenaway who are persistent nuisances to others and this is what our reporter said to magistrates sitting at Gloucester Youth Court last week.

Greenaway would normally have been allowed automatic anonymity under the Children and Young Persons Act but the law has a provision to name young offenders if it is in the public interest to do so.

Using recent advice issued by Home Secretary Charles Clarke the Standard argued Greenaway should be named to assist the enforcement of his ASBO.

Mr Clarke said in March this year: "Publicity is part of proper enforcement, which is essential if we are to tackle anti-social behaviour and reassure communities that something is being done."

Maggie Mallen, head of the magistrates bench sitting at the youth court explained to Greenaway why his name will now be made public.

She said: "We are lifting the reporting restrictions. We believe it is in the public interest that your ASBO is seen to be enforced particularly as you have breached it."

Greenaway, 16, of Ashcroft Road, Cirencester was arrested on May 13 after fighting with another youth.

This directly breached the conditions of his ASBO which banned him from acting in a manner which could cause harassment, alarm or distress to others.

Greenaway admitted his actions had broken the conditions of his ASBO. Anne Frost, defending Greenaway, did not want her client to be named.

She said "I think Michael has some difficulty in expressing himself. He does suffer from learning difficulties and has been out of main stream education for some time. It is clearly difficult for him. Michael has not got a huge record. He himself is a vulnerable youngster.

"The difficulty with young people who are not particularly articulate and cannot verbalise is that they will tend to react with their fists.

"I would like to think that this is a first breach and you make the decision that his name is not made public on this occasion."

However magistrates accepted out argument that naming Greenaway was in the best interests of the public.

After the hearing Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who has been critical of ASBOs and lenient sentences meted out to persistant wrong-doers, praised the Standard for fighting to get Greenaway named.

He said: "I think it's a thoroughly good thing that your part in getting him named will make it easier to enforce the ASBO against him.

"It will also stop others from getting into the situation where an ASBO will be imposed. They will think twice about behaving towards fellow citizens in a way which is detrimental."

A new law currently going through parliament will make it legal to name any child who breaches their ASBO conditions.

The Serious and Organised Crime Bill is set to become law next month which will mean ASBO yobs will no longer be able to hide behind their anonymity.

o NOW the Standard has revealed Michael Greenaway's name and what he looks like you can help make sure he keeps to his ASBO.

Gloucestershire Police Spokesperson Matt Ford explained why publicity can help the police with ASBOs.

He said: "If ASBOs are published and named it helps with enforcement because the public can contact police if they witness the individuals who are subject to the ASBO acting in a manner contrary to the terms of the order.

"Breaching an ASBO is a criminal offence so it is therefore helpful if the police are aware of any such offences so they can take positive action."

The conditions of Greenaway's ASBO ban him from causing harassment, alarm or distress to any person in any public place.

In addition he is banned from the following places in Cirencester between the hours of 9pm and 7am; Market Place, the Abbey Grounds, Brewery and Forum Car Parks and Deer Park and Kingshill Schools.

If you see Greenaway breaking any of the conditions of his ASBO call Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234.