Father caught taking photos of daughter during her court hearing 'for murdering her two children'

Jeffrey Parsons says he knew taking photos in courtroom was illegal but believed it would be fine to take one through door

Jeffrey Parsons got a stern talking-to at Birmingham Crown Court (PA)

The father of alleged murderer Louise Porton was caught taking courtroom photos of his daughter as she sat in the dock.

Jeffrey Parsons was accused of “rank stupidity” after saying he was aware taking photos inside a courtroom was illegal, but believed it would be permissible to do so through a window in the door.

The 50-year-old, from Walsall, was brought into court after his mobile phone was handed to Judge Melbourne Inman during his daughter’s appearance relating to two counts of murder at Birmingham Crown Court.

Asked by Judge Inman why he had taken two photos found on the phone, Mr Parsons said: “So I could show the picture of Louise to my other daughter because she hasn’t seen her for months – ages, like.”

Addressing whether he was aware that he taking pictures was forbidden, Mr Parsons added: “I knew I wasn’t in here but I didn’t think it was [illegal] behind that door.”

Opting to impose no punishment on Mr Parsons, the judge told him: “Everybody knows you can’t take photographs in a court building.

“I am satisfied that you have not acted through any malicious wish and that this was just an extraordinarily stupid thing to do.”

The images were then deleted under the supervision of a police officer before the judge cautioned Mr Parsons: “Take this as a warning. You’ve had a lucky escape.”

Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 forbids the taking of photos within the “precincts” of a court.

Ms Porton, 23, pleaded not guilty to murdering three-year-old Lexi Draper and 16-month-old Scarlett Vaughan when she appeared on Monday.

Lexi died in hospital after paramedics responded to reports she had been found unconscious in her home in Rugby in the early hours of 15 January.

Scarlett then died on the night of 1 February, again after paramedics responded to a report she had fallen ill, police said.

A hearing lasting half an hour was told the mother, who is pregnant and is expected to give birth later this year, would stand trial on 24 June.

Ms Porton, of Skiddaw, Rugby, Warwickshire, was remanded in custody until a further hearing on 17 May.

Additional reporting by Press Association