A man sentenced for repeated trespassing at Kensington Palace
A man has been sentenced to 32 weeks in prison after he illegally entered the grounds of Kensington Palace on two occasions shortly before Christmas. Derek Egan, 39, from Hillingdon, pleaded guilty to two counts of trespassing on a protected site.
During his appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court, Egan explained his actions by stating, „because I am a criminal.“ He also violated his bail conditions, which prohibited him from returning to the palace grounds.
Details of the trespassing incidents
The palace, located in west London, is occasionally the residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales along with their children. Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram sentenced Egan to 16 weeks for each trespass, with the terms to be served consecutively.
On December 22, at approximately 04:00 GMT, Egan first scaled a fence to access the palace’s garden. After being apprehended and released on bail, he returned to the site the following day.
Judicial remarks and legal implications
During the sentencing, the judge inquired about Egan’s motivations for his actions. Egan reiterated his self-identification as a criminal. The judge also expressed concern for Egan’s well-being, asking if he faced any personal issues, to which Egan responded, „All is fine.“
The judge emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, reminding Egan that trespassing on a protected site is a criminal act under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (Socpa) 2005. Recently, a new exclusion zone has been established around the Wales’s family residence in Windsor Great Park, known as Forest Lodge.
Bildquelle: Silvio Pelegrin auf Pexels
