A man was arrested for contempt of court when a judge spotted him filming during a sentencing hearing at Hull Crown Court.
Jonathan West, 33, used his mobile phone to film part of the proceedings and take a photograph of the judge – both of which are strictly prohibited. West was questioned by Judge John Thackray KC about what he was doing and what he had in his hand. The judge then called a dramatic halt to the proceedings in court.
West, of Grimsby, initially denied any wrongdoing. But the judge heard the sound of items being dropped on the floor with a thud.
Judge Thackray KC ordered him to pick up what he had dropped and place the phone on a desk at the front of the court. The judge asked a Humberside Police detective, who was sitting in court, to look at the phone.
He discovered there were two phones. One of them was unlocked and showed an image of the judge, who immediately ordered West to be arrested and the phones to be examined to determine what images had been taken.
“This is a serious contempt of court that needs looking into,” the judge said. Several cases scheduled for hearing in the courtroom before The Recorder for Hull and East Riding, had to be adjourned administratively or were delayed while the investigation took place, shortly after 11.30am on Monday.
(Image: Katie Pugh)
West had ignored signs at the entrance to Hull Crown Court which clearly state that recordings and photography are strictly prohibited by Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act of 1925. A sign on the courtroom door also states no photos or video can be taken in court. “It is an offence to take unauthorised photographs or record video anywhere in the building. Audio recordings are not allowed in hearing rooms,” the sign reads.
Following his arrest, West, formerly of Alexander Wharf, Grimsby appeared in the dock to admit contempt of court. He admitted using a mobile phone to take photos and video of the CCTV being shown in a court case.
The judge approved a court representation order for barrister, Ben Hammersley to represent the defendant straight away and thanked him for his service to the court. Mr Hammersley said: “It was a moment of utter stupidity and madness.
He knows he has done wrong.” He said: “He had not done anything with the videos or photos.” Mr Hammersley said his client was remorseful.
Following an adjournment, Senior Crown Advocate, Jeremy Evans confirmed to the court there were a couple of photographs taken in the courtroom and they had been deleted in the presence of a police officer. The prosecutor said there was no evidence they had been sent elsewhere.
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Mr Evans said: “It was what was on the screen that was being filmed.” The senior prosecutor had earlier played CCTV footage of an arson attack on a property in Grimsby, in which a man suffered serious burns.
He said West had previous convictions for assaulting an emergency worker and unlawful escape from custody. Judge Thackray KC jailed West to one day in prison, which effectively meant he was released immediately. He told the defendant: “You have apologised and you have not sent anything.”
He said the phones would be returned to the defendant when he left the building. West returned to the courtroom to collect a baseball cap and asked the judge if he could continue sitting in the courtroom. Permission was granted by the judge.