Source: Joseph Keller/iMore
What you need to know
- Carlisle Judge Nicholas Barker was trying to sentence a man for a stabbing.
- He was using Skype on an unnamed notebook when difficulties struck.
- He resorted to using an iPhone to complete the sentencing.
A Carlisle judge may have become the first in the UK to sentence someone via iPhone after their computer refused to work during a Skype call. The whole thing was being done remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but even judges can't make everything work properly at the first time of asking.
Judge Nicholas Barker ended up using his iPhone to complete the Skype call, sentencing former soldier Andrew Ryan to 26 months in jail according to local news reports.
Judge Nicholas Barker made what was probably legal history during the Skype court hearing yesterday, resorting to his iPhone when technological problems conspired to prevent him from using his laptop as has been the usual practice during the lockdown court hearings.
You can read the background of the attack and court case in the News and Star report but it does pose an interesting question – is this the first time someone's been sentenced via iPhone. In the UK, at least.
Answers on a postcard. Or in the comments, if you prefer.

62% of Apple TV+ subscriptions are free, 29% won't pay after their trial
Apple TV+ saw its trial extended recently, but those who are taking advantage of it don't intend to pay.

New MacBook Air may arrive this year, huge MacBook Pro feature returning
A new report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says that Apple's New MacBook Air could debut in the second half of 2021. Gurman also states that the new MacBook Pro will feature an SD slot.

iPhone 12 mini demand squashed by pandemic, 12 Pro thrives
New reports from Digitimes note that suppliers have seen a slowdown in orders for the iPhone 12 mini due to struggling sales during the pandemic. Foxconn has reportedly obtained extra iPhone 12 Pro orders thanks to more demand, however.

Your iPhone 11 Pro will love these screen protectors!
The screen on your new iPhone is very expensive to replace. Because of this, you may want to consider buying an inexpensive screen protector