NOW you see them, now you don't. Last night a court ruling prevented us publishing pictures of the five yobs who tormented a dying man in Sherburn-in-Elmet.

Tonight, we print the photos of four young thugs who terrorised York after Judge Paul Hoffman ruled publication was in the public interest.

Yobs such as these should endure maximum shame as part of their punishment. If justice is truly to be seen to be done, local people must be able to identify their persecutors as they are sentenced.

As for the feelings of the criminals, we can express it no better than Judge Hoffman: "I think the public's overwhelming right to know exceeds any sensibilities on behalf of any of these defendants."

Updated: 10:42 Friday, January 21, 2005