The robbery trial at Bristol Crown Court was abandoned earlier
in November, after a juror spotted Shaun Nash, 19, from Bristol,
taking pictures with the phone. The youth was arrested and his
mobile found to contain two photos and some video images of court
proceedings.
Nash pled guilty to the offence, saying he was "just having a
laugh" and that he had not intended to upset or intimidate
anyone.
The taking of photographs in court, whether on film, television
or video, has been banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
since 1925, but the whole issue is being revisited in light of the
Government's recently-launched consultation on "Broadcasting
Courts", due to run until 28th February.
In Scotland the taking of photographs and televising of civil
and criminal appeals are permitted in the Court of Session – the
country's top civil court – but only with the consent of all
parties and the court.
