An American football star has been jailed for 30 days after his plea bargain on a parole violation case was rejected by a judge in Florida. The judge imposed the sentence after former Miami Dolphins star Chad Johnson slapped his lawyer on the behind. Judge Kathleen McHugh said she did not think he was taking his court appearance seriously.

The lawyer had worked out the plea bargain, which was on the point of being accepted, when the incident happened, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The report said: “Johnson…was seconds away from walking out of the Broward County courthouse Monday after working out a plea deal for probation violation in a 2012 domestic violence case. But when Broward County complimented his lawyer, Johnson saluted the attorney as though he were a team-mate after a good play – with a pat on the behind. The gesture drew chuckles from audience members in the courtroom, but McHugh fumed.

The judge reportedly said: “Mr Johnson, I don't know that you're taking this whole thing seriously. I'm not going to accept these plea negotiations. This isn't a joke.”

Despite an apology from Johnson, the 30-day jail sentence was accompanied by an order to perform 25 hours of community service and attend two counselling sessions per week – which had been part of the plea negotiation. She also extended his probationary period.

Johnson’s attorney asked Judge McHugh to reconsider her decision, but according to the Sun Sentinel, she “wouldn’t budge”, stating that it was not the first time the slapping had happened – a statement Johnson did not deny. 

Johnson – whose nickname in his playing days was Ochocinco after the number on his jersey in Spanish – told the judge: “My life is in a shambles right now, and I try my best to laugh and to keep a smile on my face.”

The newspaper article continued: “Johnson, who was signed up as a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins last season, pleaded no contest last year to a battery charge after his wife, reality TV star Evelyn Lozada, accused him of head-butting her during an argument in their Davie home last August. The charge signalled the end of their 11-week marriage, as well as Johnson's football career.”