‘Clown’ letter to Queen ‘sparked full-scale alert’

AFULL-SCALE security alert was sparked after a self-styled “Muslim Slayer” sent fake poison to the Queen with a note saying: “The Clowns R Coming 4 You”, a court has heard.

White supremacist David Parnham, 36, sent similar letters containing white powder to then-prime minister Theresa May, two bishops and the Home Office in October 2016, making an apparent reference to reports of attacks by people dressed up as clowns.

A Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) response was launched as a result, the Old Bailey was told.

Members of the Royal Household were left concerned for their health and

the well-being of their colleagues. Some were kept separate from other staff for hours as the substance was being identified.

Parnham also caused widespread fear and upset through a Punish A Muslim Day hate campaign, the court heard.

Parnham, from Lincoln, has pleaded guilty to 15 offences relating to hundreds of letters penned between 2016-18. He has admitted encouraging murder, making hoaxes involving noxious substances and bombs, sending letters with intent to cause distress, and encouraging offences.

As he appeared at a sentencing hearing, psychiatrist Dr Martin Lock revealed that he did not regret what he had done.

The court heard that Parnham claimed he did not remember writing to the Queen.

While Parnham was on the autistic spectrum, Dr Lock said he was not psychotic and expressed concern that the defendant had attempted to “mislead” medical professionals.

Another psychiatrist said Parnham was suffering a psychotic illness.

Parnham, of St Andrew’s Close in Lincoln, was caught through DNA, handwriting and fingerprints on the letters. He was arrested in June 2018.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC indicated that he would complete sentencing today.