NEIGHBOURS of a Blaenavon yob detained for four months for breaching a strict anti-social behaviour order slammed the decision not to allow him to be pictured.
As we reported on Saturday, Luke James Davies, 17, of Blaenavon, breached the strict Asbo imposed in January three times.
He was banned from his street and was only allowed into his house through the back door, but neighbours saw him in the street on a number of occasions.
Magistrates in Cwmbran youth court gave Davies a four-month detention and training order.
But the bench banned the Argus from showing Davies' face and naming the street he lives on - despite allowing those details to be published when the Asbo was imposed. Angry neighbours said they feel let down by the court's decision.
Although they are keen to speak out about Davies' reign of terror, the Argus cannot name them because of the magistrates' ruling.
One man, a civil servant, said: "It's pathetic. Of course you should picture him. The legal profession is letting the public down by not exposing these criminals.
"The courts are letting the police down by not giving him a tougher sentence and by not letting you picture him. It's too lenient. How can the bobby on the beat do his job when magistrates impose stupid orders and sentences?
"A custodial sentence should have been imposed on him a year ago because of his reign of terror. We have had this for seven years. The Asbo gave him another chance but he just smirks at the police and he smirks at us. It's a breath of fresh air when he's not about."
Another man who lives near Davies said: "It's ridiculous you can't picture him. The Argus pictured him once and named the street so it's silly that you can't again.
"We got fed up reporting all the damage he caused."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article