TalkTalk hacking teenager ‘had his rights breached’

His lawyers claimed an unlawful distinction was made between his circumstances and other juvenile crime suspects automatically entitled to anonymity once they are charged.

Now aged 20, he is still referred to only as JKL in a case examining the right of the press to name young people under police investigation.

He was 15 when police arrested him in October 2015 over a major hack into the phone and broadband provider’s database.

Detectives interviewed him as a cyber-crime suspect before he was released on bail without charge at that stage.

Under the terms of the 1999 Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act no-one under 18 allegedly involved in an offence can be named in press reports.

Although that law applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, lawyers for the teenager claimed Stormont’s continued failure to commence the act breached his human rights.

They argue it was irrational to be denied the same protection given to minors once they are charged with an offence.

His legal challenge is focused on the legislative protection from press identification for youths before they have been charged.

At a new hearing JKL’s lawyers argued that the current legislative situation contravenes his Article 14 rights under European law.

Ronan Lavery QC contended that discrimination between categories of children is unlawful.

He said: “The distinction is between individuals who are pre-charge or pre-summons, who don’t have any protection, and those post-charge or post-summons who benefit from legislative provisions granting them anonymity.”

Judgment was reserved following fresh submissions.

Mr Justice Colton pledged to give his decision as soon as possible.