Man jailed for broadcasting a court trial on Facebook

A 39-year-old man has been sent to prison for live streaming a court hearing on Facebook. David Davies was sat in the public gallery of Cardiff Crown Court when he started filming a witness giving evidence, South Wales Police (SWP) said. Davies videoed the proceedings of a dangerous driving trial for around an hour in two separate takes on Monday (February 20). The streams were watched by more than 650 people and were `liked` and commented on dozens of times. The defendant posted a status following the last live stream which said: “Courts adjourned, verdict tomorrow, tune in for another live feed ding rinder, signing off Cardiff crown.” Prior to the trial Davies posted another status saying: “Feeling the tension in Cardiff crown court.” Officers were contacted by a member of the public who saw the footage. When Davies, from Llantwit Fardre, returned to court the following day to watch the case resume, he was arrested. Davies was put before Judge Greg Bull QC on the same day, where he was sentenced to 28-days in prison for contempt of court . Under section 41 of Criminal Justice Act 1925, it is an offence to take any photograph or sketch of a justice or witness in, or related to, any proceedings before a court either inside the courtroom or its precincts. The Contempt of Court Act 1981 also prohibits the use of sound recording devices in court. South Wales Police Constable Richard Sellek said: “Unfortunately cases such as this are becoming more and more commonplace. “There are prominent notices within all courts about the use of mobile phones before people enter the courtroom. “This should serve as a warning to others who think that the law does not apply to them.”