Jail for man who swore at judge

Jail for man who swore at judge

30 October 2013

A NEWCASTLE MAN who swore at a Crown Court judge as he was being sentenced, has had his prison sentence increased.

Twenty five year-old Martin Smyth launched into a foul-mouthed tirade against Judge Piers Grant at Downpatrick Crown Court last Monday as he was being jailed for three years for burglary.

Smyth was brought back to the court on Thursday and was jailed for an additional four months for contempt of court.

Smyth, of Burren Meadow, Castlewellan Road, had originally been charged with a number of crimes committed on November 22 last year.

As he was being led from the courtroom after sentencing on Monday Smyth became agitated and started to swear at Judge Grant.

At Downpatrick Crown Court on Thursday a tran of Smyth’s foul-mouthed tirade against Judge Grant was read out.

A prosecution barrister added that a court officer also heard Smyth say that he hoped Judge Grant would get the same as Davey Black, the prison officer murdered by dissident republicans.

On Thursday a defence barrister apologised on behalf of Smyth and said he had shouted out in response to the sentence he had received.

Judge David Smyth described the language used to Judge Grant as “vulgar abuse” and said Smyth’s comments on Davey Black were a threat to Judge Grant:

“You appear volatile and you speak when you should not,” said Judge Smyth.

“This was vulgar, including a threat that should not have been taken seriously, but this should not have been made.

“The sentencing was justifiable and comments about sentencing should be made somewhere else. That is what the Court of Appeal is for.

“Without the apology it would be eight months consecutive. The sentence of this court will be four months consecutive,” he said.

As he was being led to the cells Smyth shouted out: “It will still not hurt me.