Publication ban issue emerges in headline-making child porn case

HALIFAX -- A provincial court judge in Halifax has cited a mandatory publication ban in reference to a prominent child pornography case that had made national headlines.

The mandatory ban referred to prohibits the identification of the alleged victim.

The name of the girl, who is deceased, has been previously widely reported but Judge Jamie Campbell noted the mandatory ban on identification during a hearing Wednesday. The judge said he expected this would create "considerable difficulties" for media.

The publication ban cited comes under Section 486 of the Criminal Code, which prevents the naming of alleged victims in some cases.

Earlier, a defence lawyer in the case dropped a subpoena to have a senior Crown prosecutor testify about why the charges were laid against two teens under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Ian Hutchison, who had filed the subpoena last Wednesday, didn't say why he no longer wished to hear from Crown prosecutor Craig Botterill in the case.

He declined comment outside court.

Two teens face charges of distributing child pornography in connection with the case, while one of them also faces a charge of making child pornography.

Court will resume May 16 to hear Campbell's ruling on a defence application for disclosure of further police and Crown materials about the arrests and prosecution of the two accused.