York student who threw eggs at King Charles found guilty
The incident happened in November
Last updated 14th Apr 2023
A York student has been found guilty of threatening behaviour after throwing eggs at King Charles in the city last November.
23-year-old Patrick Thelwell appeared at York Magistrates' Court earlier today.
He shouted "the King is a paedophile" after throwing "at least five" eggs towards Charles during a walkabout in York last year.
The 23-year-old had pleaded not guilty to a Section 4 public order offence, arguing his use of "low level violence" was "lawful" as it was self defence against "the violence carried out by the British state".
On Friday Chief Magistrate Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring found the defendant guilty of the charge, saying Thelwell "intended to cause King Charles to believe immediate unlawful violence would be used against him".
The King and Queen Consort had arrived in the city on November 9 to unveil a statue of the late Queen at York Minster, and were being welcomed by local dignitaries at Micklegate Bar when Thelwell threw five eggs which "came very close to hitting King Charles," York Magistrates' Court heard.
Prosecutor Michael Smith said Thelwell was identified quickly and removed from the crowd before being detained on the ground and arrested.
Thelwell, who defended himself at the trial, posed outside court with a painted egg sign held by one of around 10 supporters. Other signs said: "Did you vote for him?" and "Justice for Patrick. Justice for All."
During his trial he was stopped by the judge from asking a police witness whether he "was aware the King was photographed numerous times with Jimmy Savile", the disgraced TV presenter.
Judge Goldspring told him: "Whether or not the King was photographed with Jimmy Savile has no relevance to this trial at all.
"I'm afraid I won't allow you to ask questions about your perception of the King's past."
The defendant also asked Detective Constable Peter Wilson if he thought throwing eggs "is more or less serious than the violence carried out by the British state".
The court was shown body camera footage of Thelwell's arrest, in which he could be heard shouting: "I threw eggs because that's what he deserves. It's the only justice the victims of colonialism will ever get."
The defendant also said: "Did I get him? I didn't get him. Next time someone will get him."
Another video played on the phone of one of Thelwell's supporters showed him saying he had thrown the eggs for "all the people who died so that man can wear a crown, someone who was best friends with Jimmy Savile".
Police Constable Adam Steventon, who arrested Thelwell, told the court he was standing about 10 yards away when he "became aware of a commotion".
The officer said he saw one of the eggs being thrown and climbed over the barrier to detain Thelwell, who was being restrained by plain-clothed police officers and members of the public.
"I recall him shouting several times 'F*** the King'. I believe he shouted 'the King is a paedophile' or words very close to that," PC Steventon told the court.
The officer said people in the crowd were "angry" at Thelwell, and described one man shouting "something like 'you've ruined this for everybody'".
The court heard another egg fell out of Thelwell's pocket as he was being arrested.
Asked by Thelwell, PC Steventon said he did not remember the crowd "pulling (his) hair out" or shouting that his head should be put on a spike.
The court was shown footage of Thelwell arriving at Fulford Road police station in York and saying: "I can't believe that didn't smash, I've had an egg in my pocket the whole time."
Another CCTV clip from the police station showed a police sergeant commenting on Thelwell's "large soled" shoes, saying: "I could do with some of those, make me taller."
Thelwell replied: "I know, it's so I can see him through the crowds," and made a throwing gesture.
The court heard he later signed his custody record: "F*** the King."
Reading a statement in his own defence, Thelwell said he "acted out of necessity" in the face of "crimes against humanity by the British state", including climate policy, austerity and the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia.
Thelwell, who gave his address as Wentworth College at the University of York, said he had been contacted by "thousands of people" saying they "would do the same thing, and will" if the King visits their area in the future.
In cross examination by Mr Smith, Thelwell said he admitted throwing the eggs amounted to "low level violence" but said it was "lawful violence" and that "all people have the right to self defence" when they "are under threat of violence of the system".
"The way the UK conducts its climate policy amounts to genocide because they know millions of people will die as a result of their actions," he said.
The judge sentenced Thelwell to a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work.
He also ordered the defendant, who said he had now given up his studies, to pay £600 court costs and £114 surcharge at a rate of £5 per week.