Child Witness

[pretty_snowdrop]

If a child is a witness at a Crown Court, do they remain anonymous?

[boxtops]

This doesn't actually specify http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/special_measures/#a03

[nailit]

Dont know if its changed now but I was in court 15 years ago with a friend who was accused of assaulting a 16 year old. Both the 16 year old and his 17 year old friend...who was a witness...gave evidence in open court.
(in law under 18 is classed as a child) My friend was found not guilty otherwise he would have been classed as a schedule one offender....an offence against a child.

[Buenchico]

I've just reached on my bookshelf for my copy of 'Essential Law for Journalists'. It's now nearly 20 years old but, to the best of my knowledge, nothing has changed in relation to the answer to your question.

Quote:
"When a juvenile appears as a defendant or witness in any court other than a youth court, or other than in an appeal from a youth court, there is no automatic ban on identifying him.

Section 39 of the [Children and Young Persons] 1933 Act however gives the court the power to direct that:
(a) no report of the proceedings shall reveal the name, address, or school, or include any particulars likely to lead to the identification of any child or young person concerned in the proceedings ;
(b) no picture shall be published of any child so concerned"

[EDDIE51]

No not normally, in some cases the child may be referred to as 'Child A' or 'Child B' for example to protect their identity.
Children can give video / CCTV evidence or can be behind a screen so only the Judge / jury can see them.