A CELL phone took a new meaning this week when a man was thrown behind bars for taking a photograph of a friend in court on his mobile.

Jason Lee Tamlin, of Lampeter, was taken down to the cells at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court, Pembrokeshire, on Tuesday after snatching a picture of friend Eddie Waring in the dock.

Photography is banned in courts under a Parliamentary Act dating back to 1925.

Waring had admitted a simple cannabis possession case when 31 year-old Tamlin, who was sat in the public gallery, took out his smart phone and snapped 20 year-old Waring as magistrates retired to deliberate.

Furious, court clerk Michael Cray immediately summoned security to the courtroom.

Tamlin was taken from the public gallery and placed in the dock before being removed to the cells.

Tamlin was held for around three hours before being brought back before the bench, clearly shaken.

Prosecuting, Lesley Harbon explained the events to the magistrates, who were not in court when Tamlin took the photo.

Tamlin was charged with being in breach of the Contempt of Court Act.

Defending, Mike Kelleher, said Tamlin had taken the photograph as “a bit of fun” but now realised “it had been a big mistake”. The photograph had since been deleted.

Tamlin had not seen notices which explained that photography is banned within the court, said Mr Kelleher.

Tamlin was fined £200 and released.