Judge grants indefinite anonymity to brothers who tortured and abused two young boys

Edlington Recreation ground where the two brothers started their brutal attack on two boys

A judge has granted indefinite anonymity to two brothers who were aged 10 and 11 when they tortured two young boys in a case which shocked Britain.

The pair were sentenced to an indeterminate period in custody, with a minimum of five years, following the horrific incident in 2009 which became known as the Edlington Case, after the South Yorkshire former pit village where it happened.

A court order made at the time granted them anonymity until they were both 18.

As the younger of the two brothers approached his 18th birthday, lawyers acting for the pair sought a lifelong anonymity order, claiming that identifying them would breach various sections of the Human Rights Act.

And on Friday High Court judge Sir Geoffrey Vos ruled that they should remain anonymous.

The barrister representing the two brothers had asked the judge to grant anonymity.

Phillippa Kaufmann QC was instructed by staff from the Office of the Official Solicitor, which helps vulnerable people involved in court cases.

The order bars journalists from revealing the brothers' original names or their new identities.

Sir Geoffrey said he was satisfied that the anonymity order was in the public interest.

He said he would outline his reasoning in writing at a later date.