A WOMAN was forced to apologise to a judge today (Friday, September 4) after taking photographs on her mobile phone in court and posting them on social media.

Laura Scott, the sister of a man accused of robbery, took one picture of a defendant in the dock, and another of an empty courtroom, before posting them on her Snapchat account along with an icon of hands clasped in prayer.

The 21-year-old, sitting in the public gallery at Teesside Magistrates Court, then found herself in the dock for contempt of court.

She admitted the charge of interrupting proceedings or otherwise misbehaving in court.

District Judge Martin Walker warned her the court had the power to confiscate her phone, or impose a two-month prison sentence, but gave her an absolute discharge after Scott, from Havilland Way, Thornaby, apologised.

Paul McGee, in mitigation, said: "She has never been in a public gallery before. She was aware of other people using their mobile phones and she thought it would be fine to take a picture.

"She is very upset with herself and wants to apologise."

She had been in the public gallery watching the case of four men accused of being involved in two armed robberies at Market Cross Jewellers stores in Yarm and Middlesbrough.

The four appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court and another three appeared in court in Manchester.

Antony Northmore, 24, of Willow Sage Court, Stockton, faced two charges of conspiring to commit robbery and being in possession of criminal property, as well as one offence of possessing a class B drug. No application was made for bail and he is due to appear again at Teesside Crown Court on September 18.

His brother, Scott Northmore, 19, of Hampden Way, Thornaby, near Stockton, as well as Thomas Reeve, 28, of Beech Grove, Maltby near Middlesbrough and William Turton, 20, of Abbey Road, Sadberge, near Darlington, all appeared on one charge each of conspiracy to commit robbery. They were remanded in custody until Monday, when a bail application will be determined at Teesside Crown Court.

Three men also appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court today on charges relating to the Market Cross armed robberies. Billy Jo Thompson, 24, of Conway Close, Whitefield, near Bury, appeared on two charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, one of acquiring criminal property and one of being in possession of a weapon. Christopher Worgan, 31, of Walker Road, Manchester, faced one charge of conspiracy to commit robbery. Joseph Donovan, 25, of Copthall Lane, Manchester, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and acquiring criminal property. All were remanded in custody and will appear at Manchester Crown Court on September 25.

The Market Cross Jewellers store in Yarm was targeted by thieves in November last year, and the Middlesbrough store in January this year.