Tourist who climbed into Buckingham Palace found 'hiding' in paddock with horse

16 October 2023 , 21:02

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A man was allegedly found hiding beside a horse in the Royal Mews (Image: Getty Images)

A tourist who was arrested after climbing into the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace was found "hiding" next to a horse in the paddock, a court has heard.

Awad Mustafa, 25, was on a 10-day trip to the UK when he was arrested after allegedly breaking into the King's official residence in the early hours of September 16. A court had earlier heard he had begun filming but was unable to climb back out and had to hide in the stables area after being discovered. Mustafa was found by Met Police officers at 1.25am outside the stables with two passports - from Ecuador and Spain - an iPhone, cash and a portable phone charger.

The man was caught by officers from the Met Police (Getty Images)

He arrived in the UK on September 7 and had been planning on flying to Spain the day after the incident. Mustafa appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court wearing a prison-issue grey tracksuit, speaking to confirm his name and admit trespassing on a protected site.

Prosecutor Rhianne Neil said: "On 16 September, just before 1.30am, a member of the public called the police stating they had seen a man climbing the wall on Grosvenor Road bordering The Royal Mews. The suspect was then seen inside the grounds and filming with a mobile phone. Officers attended the scene at around 2:30am and found the defendant hiding in the corner of the paddock with a horse."

Mustafa was taken into custody and gave a prepared statement stating he had climbed the wall to take photos and wanted to get a better angle. While scaling the wall he claimed he fell and injured himself and couldn't get back over it.

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Judge Nina Tempia remanded Mustafa in custody ahead of sentence on November 6, saying: "We need to find out what more was going on here, please. I'm putting the matter over for a pre-sentence report, all options open. I'm doing that because this case may warrant a community order, it may warrant custody. You'll be back here on November 6 in the afternoon, you'll be remanded in custody for the same reasons and grounds."

The Royal Mews is responsible for travel arrangements for the royal family by road and houses the 260-year-old Gold State Coach, used at the coronations of Elizabeth II and King Charles.

Paul Donald