Judge Gary Farmer, based in Florida, cracked jokes at the expense of defendants, including one man who he was told was expecting the birth of three children with different mothers.

He told the defendant: “OK, you’ve been busy. You were just shooting all over the place! That’s good.

“Do you know their names? First and last? Romantic, are you? Don’t tell Susie about Jane. Don’t tell Jane about Mary.

“God bless you, man. One’s enough.”

As he was directing the man’s release, he added: “I’’m going to order that you wear a condom at all times. For your own good, OK? Probation is going to check. No, I’m kidding. I’m kidding.”

He also recommended a woman lawyer to the defendant before advising him to try to not get her pregnant as well.

In a statement made through his lawyer, Judge Farmer said his jokes were intended to “lighten tension, reduce stress for criminal defendants, and show a sense of humanity”.

However, he said he acknowledged that they were “inappropriate” and apologised, FOX News reports.