Judge sentenced to year probation for ordering officer to give defendant electric shock in court room

The disturbing video shows the defendant crying out and writhing in pain

Mr King, 27, screams three times and falls to the floor while the judge calmly shuffles papers (US Attorney's office / AP)

A former Maryland judge has been sentenced to one year of probation after he ordered an official to give an electric shock to a defendant in the court room.

A disturbing video shows the defendant Delvon L King reading from a paper in the court room when the former judge, Robert C Nalley says to a sheriff’s deputy: “do it”.

The deputy approaches the man and administers the 50,000-volt electric shock via a Stun-Cuff attached to his ankle. Mr King falls to the ground, crying out.

Mr Nalley tells the officers to wait until the defendant has “calmed down” and he will come back to the court room.

The former judge pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge, as reported by the Washington Post, of violating the civil rights of the defendant as he was facing trial for a gun charge.

Mr Nalley spoke of his “deep regret” about his “error in judgement” but reportedly did not apologize to Mr King who was standing a few feet away in the spectators’ gallery.

Mr King, 27, accused Mr Nalley of “torturing” him and depriving him of a fair trial. He was representing himself and was about to face a jury.

Mr King’s lawyer said the sentence on Mr Nalley had been too light and there was “no justice here today”.

In July 2013, Mr King and Mr Nalley had been discussing what the defendant should be called, as Mr King said he considered himself a “sovereign citizen” who was not subject to the government’s laws.

Mr Nalley then talked about the jury selection process for the defendant’s case, and the defendant spoke over him to make what he said he believed to be a legal point.

Then Mr Nalley ordered the shock, before the jurors were about to walk in the room.

The 72-year-old retired in September 2013, two months after the incident, but he continued to preside over cases part time.

The incident became public a year later and Mr Nalley was banned from the bench by Maryland’s highest court.

In August 2009, Mr Nalley pleaded guilty to deflating the car tyre of a woman who worked as a member of the court cleaning crew who, Mr Nalley believed, was parked in his usual spot. He was ordered to pay $500 and write the woman a “heartfelt apology”.