A TEEN who stabbed another six times in the leg and buttocks can be named – after a judge said it was in the public interest to lift reporting restrictions in the case.

Arney Stead, 17, pleaded guilty on Friday to wounding with intent and possession of cannabis. It followed an attack in East Wichel last month.

The victim in his 20s, was attacked on Mattocks Path, near the canal, by a group armed with baseball bats.

Video footage of the assault, described to Swindon Crown Court last week, showed Stead running into the melee and making several stabbing motions towards the victim.

Previous court hearings have heard the victim was left with six stab wounds, which had to be stitched at hospital.

Judge Paul Cook lifted reporting restrictions following an application from the Adver.

He said it was in the public interest for his identity to be known. “He’s no stranger to the criminal justice system. He is in a custodial environment.”

Opposing the application, defence solicitor Rob Ross questioned the point of laws preventing the identification of youths in court if they were lifted. He said his client had not really been involved in the mass melee: “In those circumstances it’s not the most serious Section 18 [GBH] by a long way.”

Stead, formerly of Dixon Street, has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced at a date to be fixed.