RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina court is backing a judge who punished a defendant for repeatedly shouting a coarse expletive during his trial.

The state Court of Appeals says it hadn’t before been asked whether insulted judges could string together contempt sentences. The three-judge panel ruled judges can.

The case involved Michael Burrow, who was convicted last year of attempted felony breaking and entering. The habitual felon tried breaking into a Surry County home while on a crack cocaine bender. Burrow was sentence to more than five years in prison.

Burrow lost his temper when the judge told Burrow and his wife to stop interrupting the prosecutor. Burrow unleashed six f-bombs, daring the judge to impose more prison time.

The judge gave him the maximum of six extra months.