Patrick Thelwell has been found guilty of one count of threatening behaviour in York Magistrates’ Court today, after throwing eggs at King Charles III last year. Thelwell was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and is required to pay prosecution costs of £600 and a £114 surcharge at a rate of £5 per week.
The former University of York student was arrested after the incident on 9th November last year, where they threw at least 5 eggs in the direction of the King and Queen Consort during their visit to York’s Micklegate Bar. All the eggs missed, however, Thelwell was recorded shouting ‘abusive’ phrases during the incident and their subsequent arrest.
Thelwell was found guilty of Section Four of the Public Order Act 1986, for “using threatening or abusive words or behaviour; with intent to cause that person to believe that immediate unlawful violence will be used against him or another.”
During the sentencing, Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring considered the target of the King to be of less importance, focusing instead on the level of unlawful violence and the intent of the act with regard to its target and those around them. While Thelwell’s self-administered defence focused on justifying their actions, Judge Goldspring focused on the facts of the case as presented by the prosecution.
After describing the language used by Thelwell during the incident, Goldspring noted the preplanning and targeted nature of the action, concluding; “A clearer expression of intent I cannot imagine.”
Satisfied that throwing eggs did constitute threatening behaviour, the judge stated: “It is unarguable that a solid object was thrown with intent to hit.”
Judge Goldspring awarded community service over prison time due to the character and youth of Thelwell and the low-level violence of the act. “I will put your mind at rest. I am not going to send you to prison.”
Thelwell showed obvious relief at his avoidance of prison time, performing star jumps when asked if they were fit and healthy for the community work order, and jokingly asking if the Judge needed a gardener when questioned on his future employment status.
Vision spoke with Thelwell after the verdict, who exclaimed: “I’m really relieved. I was fully expecting to do 6 months in prison, to be honest. I had a bag here with all my underwear and socks in, so yeah just really relieved to be back with my friends and family.”
Thelwell also noted in a statement to the press; “I’m not going to apologise [to the king].”
Thelwell had several supporters who joined them in the courtroom. Prior to the trial beginning they protested outside of the magistrate’s court telling Vision that “no one should be prosecuted for expressing their political opinions”.
Before entering the courtroom, Thelwell made a speech thanking everyone who had come to support them and outlining their defence. The infamous egg-thrower announced that their defence was “a moral one, not a legal one”.
Throughout their hearing, and in their speech, Thelwell outlined that their actions were done to protect the lives of everyone who is and has suffered because of the actions of the UK state.
Thelwell represented themself in court asking the witnesses questions such as “Are you aware that King Charles was in a photograph with Jimmy Saville?”
Judge Goldspring put a stop to this line of questioning but not before Thelwell had provided context for their declarations that “King Charles is a paedophile” which were made on the day of their arrest. Thelwell was very happy to accept responsibility for their actions, simply arguing that they were necessary.
Throughout Thelwell’s hearing, their emphasis was on the morality of their actions, and the immorality of the Crown.