A 14-year-old boy is convicted of rape, but we are not allowed to tell you his name.

Judge Anthony King at Oxford Crown Court ruled that the youth's identity must remain secret.

We wouldn't expect to name a youth on a minor charge.

But this wasn't a run-of-the-mill crime — it was rape, considered by many to be the most serious crime after murder.

The judge's view was that the youth would stand a better chance of reforming his behaviour if he was allowed to do so under a cloak of anonymity.

He obviously doesn't give a damn about the girls or women with whom this rapist might come into contact in future.

Don't they deserve to know his background?

As we all know, a six-year term of detention will amount to no more than three years.

And if rehabilitation fails, the youth will then be free to resume his vile sexual activities.

Courts are often criticised for putting the rights of the criminal before the rights of the victim or potential victims.

This is another classic case where the victims' rights — and the public's rights — come second.

We believe it is in the public interest that he should be named.