A drug dealer was shown mercy by a court - and then moments later a obscene message was posted on Facebook mocking the sentence and the judge.

Daniel Sledden, 27, was given the suspended sentence when he admitted to being involved in selling cannabis to friends.

But just minutes after Judge Beverley Lunt suspended his prison sentence, a derogatory message appeared on a Facebook account in his name saying: “Beverly Lunt go suck my ****.”

The post, made at 1.53pm, also said: “Cannot believe my luck 2 year suspended sentence beats the 3 year jail yes pal!”

His brother Samuel Sledden, 22, who also admitted drug dealing at the hearing at Burnley Crown Court last week, also appeared to commented on the post.

A message from his Facebook account said: “Bet we wouldn’t get a chance like this agen [sic], thumbs up’.”

A Facebook message on his own account said: “What a day it’s been Burnley crown court! up ur **** aha nice 2 year suspended **** the 3 year in forest bank’ [sic].”

Daniel and Samuel along with their father William, all of Hopwood Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

The court heard the charges concerned the supply of drugs over a five-month period in 2014.

Daniel and Samuel were both given two-year jail sentences, suspended for two years, after both were previously convicted in 2012 for possessing amphetamines and cannabis with intent to supply.

Daniel's brother Samuel Sledden

Sentencing them Judge Lunt said: “You two are drug dealers. You were drug dealers in 2012 and in 2014. You’re both old enough to know better.

“Your father should’ve stopped you but you’re both men and should’ve behaved like men and not be dealing drugs.”

David Farley, prosecuting, said police executed a warrant in May 2014 on Hopwood Street and found small amounts of cannabis and in June stopped two people walking away from the house who were also found to be in possession of the drug.

Mr Farley said officers executed a warrant at another house belonging to William Sledden on Hopwood Street in January 2015 and found cannabis worth £70 and digital scales.

Sentencing William to an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, Judge Lunt said: “You are the father of these two and you’ve let this dealing go on in your house.

“Throw them out. I can’t believe you let them carry on like this in your house. It’s not what a father does.”

Anthony Parkinson, defending William Sledden, said he had no recent relevant convictions.

He said Daniel Sledden had taken a ‘significant step in the right direction’ by getting full-time work and his previous jail sentence in 2012 ‘clearly didn’t work’.

Daniel Prowse, defending Samuel, told the court that ‘those significantly older should be setting an example and plainly they are not’.

Both Daniel and Samuel declined to comment when contacted.

The judge also declined to comment.