SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine - Senior St Catherine resident magistrate Lorna Errar-Gayle last Tuesday confiscated a detective corporal's mobile phone after its musical ringtone interrupted court proceedings.

Errar-Gayle was hearing evidence in a malicious destruction of property case at the Spanish Town criminal court when suddenly a loud, melodious ringtone filled the courtroom. The sound came from among a group of six police officers who had congregated about two feet from the magistrate's bench.

Visibly surprised at the noise, Gayle looked in the direction of the officers and asked, "Whose phone is that giving us music in court?", and ordered that it be turned off. However, about 60 seconds later the phone rang again.
The magistrate, who was apparently frustrated, ordered the duty officer in court to seize the corporal's pricey Motorola mobile phone.

People are warned to switch off their mobiles before entering the courtroom.
However, the detective was let off lightly as Gayle, who has the power to arrest and charge him with contempt of court, was lenient. She told the detective that he had to write an affidavit to the court before the phone could be returned.
After the adjournment, the detective said that the phone was turned on accidentally when he leaned onto a desk. He said that when the magistrate ordered that the phone be turned off, he pressed the wrong button, and it kept on ringing.

"Boy, it was a real unfortunate mix-up ... and the judge believe that me dis her. I wouldn't do that," the detective corporal said.

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