BRITISH journalist Matheus Sanchez was yesterday temporarily detained after protests by Director of Public Prosecutions, Kent Pantry, that he was using his mobile telephone to record and transmit sound bytes in the inquest into the death of former Pakistani cricket coach, Bob Woolmer.

“He also has a laptop, perhaps your honour may have to revise the rules for reporters or other persons attached to the court to have cellphones,” one of Pantry’s deputies told Resident Magistrate Patrick Murphy.

Sanchez, who works with the Splash News Agency in Britain, was then dragged before the court to explain his actions, and his laptop and Blackberry telephone were confiscated and perused by police officers and members of the prosecution team.

During the examination of the equipment, a cellular telephone belonging to one of the examiners rang loudly, obviously upsetting the coroner.

“I will miss my deadline. This is an excellent facility but it has no Internet and this is the only way I can get my copy back,” Sanchez told RM Murphy.

He also said he had sought permission from a police officer before he used his hi-tech equipment.

After hearing Sanchez’s explanation, RM Murphy decided to let him off the hook.

“I will not seek to impose any sanctions on you. With some reluctance I am going to direct that other persons and yourself don’t bring laptops into the courtroom,” RM Murphy said.

However, after a protest by attorney Jermaine Spence, the magistrate ruled that the edict did not apply to members of the bar and officers of the court.

The action against Spence angered several journalists.

“This is making Jamaicans look like buffoons who don’t know the use of technology. It’s like sending a cop to a shoot-out without a gun or bullet-proof vest,” one remarked angrily.