A 26-YEAR-OLD prisoner who made a rude hand gesture while appearing on video at Liverpool Crown Court may face contempt proceedings.

Lee Draper was one of four Leigh men who appeared together via the new technology from prison on Monday and he was seen making the sign while one of his co-accused was having a charge put to him.

Judge Nigel Gilmour, QC, immediately stopped proceedings and said that he had seen him making the gesture towards the camera.

He ordered that Draper, of Bond Street, Leigh, should have legal advice about whether his behaviour amounted to contempt.

Barrister Ben Jones said Draper, who faces six drugs offences, had not realised the camera was on him. He was appearing from Walton Prison along with two other men who "were acting the goat" while the charge was being put to the other man who was at Forest Bank Prison.

The drugs charges against Paul Hilton, 23, of Hope Carr Road; Michael McMullen, 26, of Hurst Street; Stuart Miller, 33, of Kensington Avenue, and Mark Constantine, 29, of Charles Street, all of Leigh, were adjourned until November 3.

Draper, McMullen and Constantine are accused of conspiring to supply heroin.

McMullen and Miller also face charges of supplying heroin and Constantine faces a charge of possessing heroin with intent to supply.

Hilton pleaded guilty to being concerned in supplying heroin to an under-cover police officer and possessing heroin.