A CROWN court judge criticised police for arresting a man who was waiting to appear before him and taking him to another court.
Miley Byrne, 26, of Challis Lane, Braintree, was arrested in Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday (May 27) and taken to Chelmsford Magistrates' Court.
He was due to appear before Judge Christopher Turner for possessing indecent pictures and videos of children.
Judge Turner said: "It is extremely unhelpful by the police to behave in that way – it's extraordinary from the police.
"Why wasn't he arrested after the hearing? It's a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.
"If it was a grave crime it might make sense, but he doesn't seem like that sort of chap, but this is extremely discourteous by the police – they clearly don't get it."
A spokesman for the force said: "Essex Police arrested him on warrant for a different offence, he was arrested in Chelmsford Crown Court and taken to magistrates' court later that afternoon."
Byrne then appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, June 2, for a plea and case management hearing where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On March 1 last year, Byrne is alleged to have had 21 indecent images and two indecent films of children on his mobile phone.
He was granted unconditional bail ahead of a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court on August 26.
