Judge reprimands man after taking photo of drug addict girlfriend during sentencing for crime spree in Medway

A man who pulled out his phone in court to take a photo of his drug-addicted girlfriend because she looked “so good” has been warned there will be “consequences” if it happens again.

Pamela Jardine sat in the dock waiting to learn her fate for a two-day crime spree in the Medway Towns during which she robbed a pensioner, slapped a security guard and attacked a shop worker.

As part of her crimes, she also assaulted people, stole a pack of Dairy Lea Dunkers, smashed a shop door and stuffed drugs into her bra.

But the sentencing hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday (September 11) ended abruptly – with her lawyer in the middle of his defence arguments – when the distinctive sound of a photograph being taken on a phone was heard.

As the judge and court staff looked around in disbelief, asking who was responsible for the snapshot, the man sitting in the gallery, seemingly unabashed, explained: “I just took a photo of my girlfriend. I haven't seen her in a long time.”

When informed that this was not permitted, he shouted across the courtroom to Jardine, who has been in custody since April, and said: “It's just that you look so good,” before adding: “Shall I delete it? I'll delete it.”

Security was called into the courtroom to check whether the picture had been removed from the perpetrator's phone.

After apologising, he was warned by Recorder John Passmore KC that there would be other consequences if such a thing happened again.

The friend, who could have been held in contempt of court for taking the illegal photo, replied: “I didn't realize that was a problem.”

Filming, photographing and recording on court premises is strictly prohibited.

Signs are prominently displayed throughout HMCTS buildings, including at the entrances to the courtrooms themselves.

The punishment for such an offense may be a fine or imprisonment.

Jardine, who formerly lived in Luton Road, Chatham, but is said to have been homeless for two years, faced conviction for a series of offences committed in the town centre on April 12 this year and in Gillingham on July 1 last year.

The court heard that as well as robbing the elderly man of his iPhone and leaving him bleeding on the street, she stole makeup from Boots in the Pentagon and assaulted the store's security guard, hurling racist abuse at him by saying “f****** immigrants”.

When she was arrested outside Buzz Bingo (formerly Gala Bingo) on High Street, she was screaming and swearing and was discovered to have crack cocaine and cannabis hidden in her underwear.

Nine months earlier, she had walked into the Best One supermarket on Richmond Road in Gillingham, stolen the packet of Dunkers and punched one of the staff in the face when she confronted her.

Prosecutor Mark Savage described how Jardine then picked up a metal shelf and slammed it twice against the door, breaking the glass panes.

She then took her anger out on a customer as he was leaving the store by punching him in the face and shoving a passerby who had come to her male friend's aid after he had landed on the ground, apparently unconscious.

After her arrest and hospitalization, the vulgar mother began to insult “everyone,” according to the prosecutor, and then kicked a policewoman in the knee.

Here people are beaten, slapped and kicked, including a very old man in his late 80s

Jardine later admitted a total of 11 charges relating to robbery, shoplifting, racially motivated assault, possession of Class A and B drugs, criminal damage and assault, which he committed in breach of a four-month suspended sentence.

Yet despite what her lawyer called the “unpleasant facts” and her “extensive” criminal record, including 16 previous convictions for 42 crimes, the court was pushed to make an extraordinary decision and spare her further time behind bars.

Defense attorney Joe Davidson said his client had “adopted a profoundly positive and constructive attitude” since being remanded in custody, was now drug-free, was taking prescription antipsychotics and had completed numerous treatments.

The lawyer added that accommodation will also be available after her release, telling the court: “She is better equipped than ever to stay out of trouble.”

“She is asking for help, apologizing for what happened and ashamed of the life she has led over the past few years.

“But the situation is not deadlocked… She is ready to turn things around and asks Your Honor to give her the opportunity to do so.”

However, Recorder Passmore said he had to adjourn sentencing for a full report because the Probation Service had raised concerns about the danger Jardine posed not only to the public but also to his family members.

Referring to an initial assessment, he noted: “It says she poses a danger to family members, police officers, her own daughter and – in this case – also to security guards, shopkeepers, customers, passers-by and emergency services.”

“People are being beaten, slapped and kicked here, including a very old man in his late 80s.

“In order to fully and adequately address Ms Jardine's request that a further suspended sentence is the appropriate punishment, I consider that a further probation report is required.”

Jardine was remanded in custody pending her next hearing on November 5.