Man posted footage of himself slipping picture of male genitals under judge’s notepad at Mansfield Magistrates Court
A man who used Meta glasses to record himself slipping a hand-drawn picture of male genitals under a judge’s notepad at Mansfield Magistrates Court posted the footage on Tiktok, a court has heard.
Scott Maxwell, aged 52, of Arundel Drive, Mansfield, admitted publishing a photograph taken in a criminal court, contrary to Section 41(1)(b) of the Criminal Justice Act 1925, when he returned to Mansfield on June 10.
The incident happened on January 26 when Maxwell used Meta glasses to capture images inside the courtroom, including images of fellow jurors, which he posted on the TikTok platform.
Morgan Hogarth, mitigating, said Maxwell was very sorry for his actions, accepted he was foolish and meant no harm.
He has a provisional diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and was acting impulsively.
Maxwell stated that he was actually proud of being selected to be on a jury.
The court heard he was not an empanelled juror at the time and there was no disruption or delay to any proceedings due to his actions.
The glasses were confiscated and Maxwell was fined £490. His guilty plea taken into account.
The Criminal Justice Act 1925 makes it a criminal offense to publish any photograph, portrait, or sketch that was illegally taken or made inside a courtroom or court building in England and Wales.
The legislation strictly protects the dignity and anonymity of judges, jurors, witnesses, and parties involved in legal proceedings.