A MAN who shouted abuse at a judge and called him "wiggy" in court found himself back in the dock after boasting on Facebook that he had "got away with it".

Robert Langley, 38, of Aspen Close, Newport, appeared in front of Judge Neil Garnham at Southampton Crown Court this afternoon (Wednesday), where he was jailed for eight weeks for contempt of court.

On July 14, he shouted abuse at the judge from the public gallery when the jury in a murder trial asked to finish for the day due to the heat.

Judge Garnham granted the jury leave to retire for the day, but Langley shouted at him that he should pay for air conditioning out of his "enormous salary".

As the judge rose to leave the court, the abuse continued, including the word "wiggy" and the c-word.

Berenice Mulvanny, prosecuting, told the court there was also reference from Langley around the word "paedo" directed at the judge.

Langley was brought before the judge later that day, and apologised.

The judge was persuaded not to take any further action and Langley left the court.

However, Langley then posted on Facebook about it, boasting "who else could call the Lord Judge a paedo wiggy c*** then get away with it? Message me for more life tips."

He also replied to his friends' comments, with phrases such as "blagged it" and "it might make the papers".

Judge Garnham told Langley in court today, it appeared the apology had been "entirely fictitious".

Nicholas Tucker, representing Langley, said the original apology was heartfelt.

He said the Facebook post was poorly worded and Langley was trying to be sarcastic and make fun of himself, not the judge, and was drunk when he started replying to the comments.

Mr Tucker said: "The best I can say is that he expressed himself poorly."

He said Langley, unemployed, was seeking help for alcohol abuse.

Judge Garnham said the issue of contempt of court wasn't about the feelings of judges, but about respecting the orderly discharge of judicial proceedings.