A 25 year old woman from Leeds has been found in contempt of court, after she interrupted a trial at Bradford Crown Court in October 2018.
In the early hours of 20 October 2017 Sophie Holmes and her boyfriend Paul Serrant were together at his home when the property was attacked and hit with 20 military grade bullets from an assault weapon. No one was injured in the attack.
A police investigation took place and 3 individuals were charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
When speaking to police Holmes stated she had been approached by another man, who had threatened to have her house attacked. He was not charged in relation to the attack, however during the trial Holmes shouted from the public gallery that he was the shooter. She then fled the court. As a result, the Judge overseeing the proceedings had to discharge the jury.
Today at the Royal Courts of Justice Sophie Holmes admitted to being in contempt of court. She was committed to prison for 6 months, suspended for 2 years.
Following the decision, the Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC MP said:
"Ms Holmes' outburst impeded the course of justice and not only resulted in the jury being discharged and the extra cost of another trial, it also led to the prolonging and disruption of a delicate case. It is therefore appropriate that Ms Holmes has been found in contempt of court."
