An illegal photograph snapped during a court hearing has landed a Wigan man a hefty fine.
An illegal photograph snapped during a court hearing has landed a Wigan man a hefty fine.
Defendant Daniel Lewis fell foul of the Criminal Justice Act, which makes taking a photograph a contempt of court offence, earlier this year.
The 28-year-old, of Battersby Street, Ince, took out his mobile phone during a break in proceedings but was spotted by court officials taking a picture of the courtroom.
Lewis was in Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court on January 15 after pleading guilty to a public order offence relating to disorderly or threatening words of behaviour.
For taking the illegal picture, he later appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on February 1, and pleaded guilty to the offence.
He received a £200 fine and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and court costs of £85.
For the public order conviction he was handed a £150 fine and ordered to pay £80 in compensation, a victim surcharge of £20 and £85 court costs.
The court also imposed a restraining order meaning that Lewis must not contact ******* ******** or ****** ********* and not enter ******* *********, Ashton-in-Makerfield.
The order lasts until July 15 this year.
The Criminal Justice Act 1925 prohibits any photographs, portraits or sketches of a justice or witness in, or party to, proceedings in the courtroom or its precincts.
From 2016
Far-Right Criminals 