Brothers who posted obscene messages on Facebook about judge just minutes after leaving court locked up

But Judge Beverley Lunt, who bore the brunt of the social media posts by Daniel and Samuel Sledden has not decided the convicted cannabis dealers' ultimate fate, after a hearing at Burnley Crown Court.

Just 40 minutes after being told he had escaped jail for selling cannabis for five months, Daniel Sledden boasted online about how he had received a two-year suspended prison term, before making a derogatory remark about Judge Lunt.

And 35 minutes after that, his younger brother Samuel, who received the same punishment, also posted comments on Facebook bragging he had escaped a prison term.

The judge was made aware of the comments and the brothers, aged 27 and 22 respectively, were hauled back before the court for a review of their sentence.

The Sleddens, both of Hopwood Street, Accrington, were remanded in custody, following requests by defence barristers, so transcripts could be obtained of the original sentencing hearing.

Daniel Prowse, for Samuel Sledden, said the question remained whether the comments made on Facebook undermined the sentencing exercise.

He told the court that 'significant import' had been placed on the length of time which had passed between the original offence, said to have been committed over a five-month period in 2014, when the sentence was suspended.

But Judge Lunt said: "Remorse and contrition form a central part of that argument. Both rely on remorse and a change in lifestyle, particularly Daniel Sledden, who says that he is now responsible because he has a got a job, etc, etc."

Mr Prowse said he not have a detailed note of the judge's sentencing remarks and requested transcripts of the court proceedings from the sentencing hearing.

The brothers will now be dealt with by Judge Lunt at Preston Crown Court on February 26.

Their father William, 45, was also given an eight-month suspended prison sentence, over the same cannabis dealing allegations.