Buckingham Palace
(Picture: PA Archive)A man climbed over the fence at Buckingham Palace twice in the space of five days, despite a police warning to stay away from Royal residences, a court has heard.
Daniel Brydges, 33, is accused of trespassing at The Queen’s London home on December 18 and December 22 last year, as well as allegedly causing criminal damage to the perimeter fence.
Westminster magistrates court heard Brydges was arrested after the first incident and is accused of a repeat of the behaviour four days later while on police bail.
“He directly breached his bail condition by climbing over the fence into Buckingham Palace property again, four days after the offence,” said prosecutor Mukaddisa Bokhari.
“Obviously the defendant has gone back again, even though he is on a bail condition not to attend.”
Brydges, who lives in Portsmouth, appeared in the dock on Wednesday to plead not guilty to two charges of trespassing on a protected site and one count of criminal damage.
The court heard he accepts being present at Buckingham Palace on the two days he was arrested and mental health issues will be raised at his trial.
“The defendant was suffering from psychosis in and around the time of the alleged offences,” said defence lawyer Rajesh Bhamm.
“Since then, his mental health condition has massively improved. He is in stable accommodation in Portsmouth, very far away from London.”
The Queen was not in residence at Buckingham Palace at the time of the incidents last Christmas as she was staying at Windsor Castle.
District Judge Briony Clarke released Brydges on bail until a further hearing on October 12.
He is currently banned under a bail condition from visiting any Royal Palaces or residences in the UK.
