Student who 'threw eggs at King Charles' denies threatening behaviour
A student who allegedly threw eggs at King Charles during a visit to York has pleaded not guilty to threatening behaviour - claiming he was taking part in a "protest against the establishment".
Patrick Thelwell, 23, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court charged with a Section 4 public order offence relating to the incident on November 9.
The monarch had arrived in York to unveil a statue of the late Queen when a figure in the crowd threw four eggs, all of which missed.
Thelwell was later arrested, and has now pleaded not guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour.
The student will attend a trial on April 14 (PA)
The 23-year-old is charged with threatening behaviour contrary to Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1986 (PA)His solicitor, Nicola Hall, said the issues at trial would include whether his actions “were part of legitimate protest” and whether they “looked likely to cause fear of unlawful violence”.
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“He would take the view his actions were necessary and part of a protest against the establishment,” Ms Hall told the court.
Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring released Thelwell on unconditional bail until his trial at the same court on April 14.
The King and Queen Consort had just arrived in York and were being welcomed by local dignitaries when the incident took place.
It was the second day of the royal visit to Yorkshire and they later travelled to Doncaster.
Thelwell arrives at York Magistrates' Court (PA)The King continued shaking hands with a member of the public as eggs flew towards him, he briefly paused to look at the shells smashed on the ground.
Security quickly ushered Charles and Camilla away.
Police then could be seen restraining a man on the ground as some people in the crowd chanted “shame on you” after eggs were thrown.
Last week Harry May, 21, was fined £100 and ordered to pay £85 for another egg attack on the King when he visited Luton in December.
May told police the egging was motivated by his belief that the King’s visit to “deprived and poor” Luton was “in bad taste”, prosecutors said.
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