Express & Star

Express & Star comment: Naming West Park murderer Ayman Aziz was right decision

There are very good reasons behind British laws protecting the identity of youngsters who become involved in crime.

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West Park murderer Ayman Aziz was named after a successful court reporting restrictions challenge by the Express & Star and other media organisations

The main concern is that exposing the identities of young criminals may have an adverse impact on their rehabilitation.

While this is understandable, there are some crimes which are so heinous it is a matter of public interest to unmask those responsible.

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Such is the case with 17-year-old Ayman Aziz, the violent thug who raped and murdered 14-year-old Viktorija Sokolova in Wolverhampton’s West Park.

The killing shocked the nation and shook the city to its core.

In this instance, Aziz’s age is irrelevant.

The sheer brutality of his actions, added to the fact that throughout his trial at the city’s crown court he did not show one iota of remorse, mean it is entirely right he has been named.

No criminal’s identity should be protected when the public’s safety is under threat.

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