A HAMPSHIRE teenager charged with three counts of attempted murder after attacks on three women can be named for the first time after appearing in court today.

Ben Moynihan, 18, also faces a charge of possessing a bladed article in relation to the assaults.

Reporting restrictions were put in place banning the media from revealing information that could lead to Moynihan’s identity when he first appeared in court in July, as he was aged 17 at the time.

But Judge Keith Cutler CBE lifted the restrictions, imposed under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, at a hearing at Winchester Crown Court today as Moynihan turned 18 last month.

The attacks all took place between June and July in Portsmouth.

Moynihan, of The Ridings, Portsmouth, had been due to enter a plea today but the hearing was adjourned until November 21 due to an outstanding report relating to the case.