Judge bans reporting on trial of six men accused of sexually assaulting teenage girls in Bristol

"There is a particular public interest at the present in information about serious sexual offending carried out by grooming gangs' and in issues of transparency about such matters. These issues are, quite properly, subjects of significant public comment and concern."

"Given the level of public interest this trial is likely to attract, I am satisfied that any contemporaneous reporting of evidence in this trial is likely to come to the attention of witnesses and would result in a significant risk of witness contamination. This, in turn, would undermine the prospect of a fair trial."

"I am satisfied that revoking the existing order would give rise to a risk of serious prejudice t"

"Earlier this year, the prosecution applied for a postponement of all reporting of the trial until all verdicts had been returned. It argued that reporting risked prejudice to the administration of justice. The postponing order was granted."

Six men are on trial at Bristol Crown Court accused of grooming and sexually assaulting vulnerable teenage girls in Bristol. The allegations involve multiple complainants and are said to have occurred over several years, with the defendants allegedly part of a larger group of men who abused girls. All six men deny the charges. The trial is expected to last 12 weeks, but reporting restrictions prevent full details, including the defendants’ names, from being published. Media organisations challenged the restrictions, arguing for reporting as the trial proceeds to support open justice. The judge refused to lift the restrictions, citing a significant risk that witness evidence could be contaminated and that revoking the order would cause serious prejudice, undermining a fair trial.

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