This is Kent -- THE anti-royal protester who charged at Prince Charles's car before the Archbishop's enthronement told magistrates in Canterbury that he meant no harm. Jonathan Elliott, of Sydney Road in Whitstable, was arrested at 1.50pm yesterday on suspicion of breaching the peace, after he lunged at the car carrying the Prince of Wales and Camilla to the ceremony. The 47-year-old was tackled by police, bundled into a van and taken to Canterbury police station for questioning. He was held in the cells overnight, before appearing at Canterbury Magistrates' Court this morning. The campaigner wore a t-shirt with the slogan "I am afraid and therefore unquestioningly obedient" and when asked by the court clerk to confirm his name, he said: "I prefer to be called dude". Prosecuting, Julie Farbrace said: "He was described as making a clear run at the vehicle which it was believed the Prince of Wales was in. The police believed him to be a threat to himself and others. "He was detained and arrested to prevent any further breach of the peace." Defending, Rocco Marrinaccio said Elliott was on incapacity benefit and disability living allowance, adding: "He presents in a particular way because of the issues he has". Magistrates bound Elliott over for a year, warning that if he breached the peace again, he would have to pay the court £100. Speaking to the Canterbury Times after his court appearance, Elliott described David Cameron and the Royal family as "parasites", but insisted he meant them no harm. He said he lunged forward because he wanted to put a campaign leaflet about the break up of the NHS on the car. Describing his night in custody, he said: "It was very peaceful, like being in a monastery." He added: "It hasn't put me off protesting in the future, but I won't be bothering anyone." Crowds had gathered outside the Mint Yard Gate entrance to the Kings School yesterday afternoon, in the hope of catching a glimpse of the VIPs expected to attend. Among them was language and linguistics student Joel Tennant, 22, who watched the drama unfold. He said: "As the motorcycle police escort came around the corner and formed a clear route for the oncoming car, there was gasp of excitement from the crowd of people I was standing in. "Then the car came into view and I saw the Prince and Duchess sat inside. "I held my camera up to try and get a shot of the car carrying the royals and as I pressed down the shutter, a male protester tried to run in front of the car. "He didn't make it to the car however, as he was immediately restrained by the officers who quickly surrounded him. From what I saw, the Royals never paid the struggle any attention. "The protester remained on the ground and seemed to be struggling with several officers keeping him down. "Fellow protesters were trying to interfere but the police were ordering them not to do so. One woman seemed to be chastising the police officers and trying to give the detained man a blanket. "Around ten minutes after the incident, a police van arrived and took the male protester away in handcuffs." See a video below of Jonathan Elliott speaking outside court earlier today.
Reported by This is 2 hours ago.
This is Kent -- THE anti-royal protester who charged at Prince Charles's car before the Archbishop's enthronement told magistrates in Canterbury that he meant no harm. Jonathan Elliott, of Sydney Road in Whitstable, was arrested at 1.50pm yesterday on suspicion of breaching the peace, after he lunged at the car carrying the Prince of Wales and Camilla to the ceremony. The 47-year-old was tackled by police, bundled into a van and taken to Canterbury police station for questioning. He was held in the cells overnight, before appearing at Canterbury Magistrates' Court this morning. The campaigner wore a t-shirt with the slogan "I am afraid and therefore unquestioningly obedient" and when asked by the court clerk to confirm his name, he said: "I prefer to be called dude". Prosecuting, Julie Farbrace said: "He was described as making a clear run at the vehicle which it was believed the Prince of Wales was in. The police believed him to be a threat to himself and others. "He was detained and arrested to prevent any further breach of the peace." Defending, Rocco Marrinaccio said Elliott was on incapacity benefit and disability living allowance, adding: "He presents in a particular way because of the issues he has". Magistrates bound Elliott over for a year, warning that if he breached the peace again, he would have to pay the court £100. Speaking to the Canterbury Times after his court appearance, Elliott described David Cameron and the Royal family as "parasites", but insisted he meant them no harm. He said he lunged forward because he wanted to put a campaign leaflet about the break up of the NHS on the car. Describing his night in custody, he said: "It was very peaceful, like being in a monastery." He added: "It hasn't put me off protesting in the future, but I won't be bothering anyone." Crowds had gathered outside the Mint Yard Gate entrance to the Kings School yesterday afternoon, in the hope of catching a glimpse of the VIPs expected to attend. Among them was language and linguistics student Joel Tennant, 22, who watched the drama unfold. He said: "As the motorcycle police escort came around the corner and formed a clear route for the oncoming car, there was gasp of excitement from the crowd of people I was standing in. "Then the car came into view and I saw the Prince and Duchess sat inside. "I held my camera up to try and get a shot of the car carrying the royals and as I pressed down the shutter, a male protester tried to run in front of the car. "He didn't make it to the car however, as he was immediately restrained by the officers who quickly surrounded him. From what I saw, the Royals never paid the struggle any attention. "The protester remained on the ground and seemed to be struggling with several officers keeping him down. "Fellow protesters were trying to interfere but the police were ordering them not to do so. One woman seemed to be chastising the police officers and trying to give the detained man a blanket. "Around ten minutes after the incident, a police van arrived and took the male protester away in handcuffs." See a video below of Jonathan Elliott speaking outside court earlier today.
Reported by This is 2 hours ago.