Jailed marine needs the same protection as a paedophile, court told In a written judgment published yesterday, Lord Thomas, the Lord Chief Justice, explained his reasons for naming the 39-year-old. "The case is of the greatest public interest, involving as it does a unique charge of murder against soldiers on military operations against a wounded detainee," he said. There is, therefore, the greatest public interest in the whole of the proceedings being publicly reported. He said there was also "the greatest public interest in knowing who he was and his background, given his conviction." "It would require an overwhelming case if a person convicted of murder in the course of an armed conflict were to remain anonymous," he added. Lord Thomas acknowledged there was a risk that Blackman could be attacked in jail, but said the prison authorities could offer protection. He said: "The prison authorities will be well aware of that risk and take steps to minimise it, as they do for other offenders at risk of attack in prison, such as paedophiles." He said an assessment by the Joint Terrorist Analysis Centre found there was also a risk to his family and the risk could continue after Blackman is released. "It is a known risk," he said. The Ministry of Defence has taken steps in the past to protect the families of the marines. There is nothing to suggest that they would not in the future. Balancing those considerations, we have no doubt that the balance comes very firmly down on the side of open justice; the identity of Marine A must be made public. Two other marines were acquitted of the same charge and the court also ruled they should be named. Their identities have not yet been disclosed, pending a possible move by their lawyers to take the issue to the Supreme Court. Blackman was dismissed in disgrace from the Royal Marines and told he must serve at least 10 years in prison before being considered for release. Jeff Blackett, the Judge Advocate General, said he had tarnished the reputation of the Armed Forces and betrayed British service personnel in Afghanistan. Last week his wife, Claire, said her husband was "not feeling sorry for himself" in prison and was studying for a degree. Blackman said he believed the fighter was already dead when he shot him in the chest with a pistol. His lawyers have said he will appeal against the sentence and more than 40,000 people have signed a petition calling for his release.