A JUROR who played on his mobile phone during trial deliberations has been fined £1,000.

Callum Toole, 22, was handed the punishment at Carlisle Crown Court today (WED) after he admitted a contempt of court charge.

Toole's appearance in the dock came a week after he was discharged from serving as a juror during the long-running trial of several defendants accused of historical physical abuse against boys at a private boarding school in South Cumbria.

The charge followed a complaint about apparent jury room misconduct which was passed to Judge James Adkin.

Summarising Toole's misbehaviour, Judge Adkin said: "Failing to engage in the process, not handing your phone over to court staff in retirement, sitting away from the group during deliberation, playing on your phone during jury deliberation is a blatant contempt of court."

However, the judge also noted the recently-qualified scaffolder's good character. And he told Toole, of Bowthorn Road, Cleator Moor: "I am certain that your immaturity and perhaps some behaviour issues you've had in the past played a part in what could be described as the childish way you behaved in that jury room."

Toole must pay the fine within six months or face 28 days' imprisonment in default.