"They could find themselves in jail" - Judge's warning over sharing of prejudicial material in murder case
“If anyone breaches it, they are liable to be found in Contempt of Court and sent to prison”
South Yorkshire’s most senior judge has warned that those who break the law to share prejudicial material concerning the defendants in a Sheffield murder case could “find themselves in jail.”
Innocent bystander Shanice Brookes, aged 30, was killed in a shooting that followed an altercation near to the One Four One bar on West Street in the early hours of May 25, 2026. She leaves behind a young son.
In the days that followed, Jemele Rhone, also aged 30, of Outram Road, Wybourn, Sheffield, was charged with Shanice’s murder, along with firearm and possession of criminal property offences.
His co-accused Deiryen Dyce, aged 32, is charged with offences including assisting an offender, possession of ammunition, possession of drugs with intent to supply, possession of drugs and possession of criminal property, namely £10,000 in cash.
Ms Dyce, of Ellesmere Road North, Burngreave, Sheffield, entered not guilty pleas to the charges she faced during the course of a Sheffield Crown Court hearing on Monday (July 13, 2026).
Prosecutor Ben Campbell told the hearing that a number of online posts concerning material relating to the defendants which is alleged to have been prejudicial was taken down from one site, following police intervention.
Others, said Mr Campbell, still remain online, on social media platforms including X, despite police involvement.
The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, issued a harsh warning to anyone responsible for prejudicial posts, or anyone considering posting anything similar.
He said that anyone who ignores the warning, and is found to have shared prejudicial material publicly that is still available on Monday, July 20, 2026, the date of Mr Rhone’s plea hearing could “find themselves in jail.”
The warning from Judge Richardson, South Yorkshire’s most senior judge, in full reads: “It’s appreciated that this case is likely to attract a high level of public interest.
“The public have a right to know what is occurring in this courts of this country.
“For very obvious reasons, prior to a trial, the law is clear - it’s contained in an Act of Parliament called the Contempt of Court Act.
“It’s inappropriate that I should give any form of legal advice. These are observations to be shared regarding that Act.
“If anyone breaches it, they are liable to be found in Contempt of Court and sent to prison.
“It is a very serious matter to post anything that should not be posted prior to a trial.
“The court has been advised that there are individuals or groups who may be putting material in the public domain that should not be there.
“I’ve already given one warning at a special hearing, when all of this was called to my attention.
“I’m pleased to hear the prosecution, via the police, have taken all the relevant steps they reasonably can to secure the removal of offending items.
“I’m told there are others still there. They better be removed very promptly indeed.
“If I hear that has not been done, I will have absolutely no hesitation in calling those individuals who are offending those rules I have set out in referring them to the Attorney General.
“It’s a very serious matter to post or make comment about in public any matters that might prejudice the fair trial for either of these defendants.
“Everyone in our country is entitled to a fair trial, and these rules are designed to secure a fair trial.
“Those who transgress that could find themselves in jail. These warning have been given yet again.
“Let us hope for the best by next Monday.”
Ms Dyce is now due to stand trial in January 2027, following the not guilty pleas she entered during today’s hearing.
Mr Rhone is due to enter his pleas during a hearing scheduled to take place a week today (July 20, 2026).
The two defendants were both arrested in the hours following the shooting, after being located in Manchester.