I am here to kill the Queen..
Intruder with crossbow at castle pleads guilty
A MAN caught with a loaded crossbow in the grounds of Windsor Castle told police “I am here to kill the Queen”, a court heard.
Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, pleaded guilty to three charges including treason yesterday at the Old Bailey.
Armed officers were scrambled on Christmas Day 2021 to seize Chail close to the Queen’s private residence, where she was preparing to welcome her family for the festive celebrations.
He told a police protection officer “I am here to kill the Queen”, before he was handcuffed and arrested.
Unemployed former Co-op worker Chail was spotted in the grounds of the Berkshire castle about 8.10am.
He was said to be wearing a hood and mask and was carrying a loaded crossbow with the safety catch off.
He had scaled the perimeter of the grounds with a nylon rope ladder some two hours before.
It was alleged Chail had applied to join the Ministry of Defence Police and the Grenadier Guards to get close to the
Royal Family. Prosecutors said he sought revenge for the treatment of Indians, and had sent a video to about 20 people claiming he was going to attempt to assassinate the Queen.
His Supersonic X-bow had the potential to cause serious or fatal injuries, according to the prosecution.
Chail, from Southampton, entered his guilty pleas by video link from Broadmoor hospital before judge Mr Justice Jeremy Baker.
The most serious charge was under section two of the Treason Act.
It said that “on December 25, 2021 at Windsor Castle, near to the person of the Queen, you did wilfully produce or have a loaded crossbow with intent to use the same to injure the person of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, or to alarm her Majesty”. He was also charged with making a threat to kill the Queen and having an offensive weapon in a public place.
Chail, wearing a black coat and fake fur collar, spoke only to confirm his name and to enter his pleas.
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said a psychiatric report found he was fit to stand trial.
She suggested Chail’s condition had improved with treatment at Broadmoor, where he had been since February 2022.
Mr Justice Baker ordered Chail’s treating doctor to compile a report on his “diagnosis and prognosis” by the end of February, with a further report by another psychiatrist on how dangerous Chail is.
The judge fixed a sentencing date at the Old Bailey for March 31. The judge also lifted a court restriction allowing details of the case to be reported.
Nick Price, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a serious incident, but fortunately a rare one. We are grateful to all those involved in the investigation.”
The CPS confirmed the late Queen and other royals had been at Windsor Castle when Chail was intercepted.
After investigations, the bow was found to be comparable to a powerful air rifle with the potential to cause serious or fatal injury.
Crossbow bolts, a metal file and other items were found in a hotel room where Chail had stayed, the CPS said.
Buckingham Palace did not comment yesterday.
You did wilfully produce or have a loaded crossbow with intent to injure Her Majesty DETAILS OF CHARGE AGAINST INTRUDER CAUGHT AT CASTLE