Man tried to steal Magna Carta after ‘authenticity doubts’, court told

A 47-YEAR-OLD man attempted to steal a priceless version of the Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral after “doubting its authenticity”, a court has heard.

Mark Royden, from Canterbury, Kent, is accused of using a hammer to smash the protective case in his bid to steal the 800-year-old document from

Salisbury Cathedral on October 25, 2018.

Rob Welling, prosecuting, told Salisbury Crown Court that it was the actions of “good-spirited” members of the public that prevented his escape.

He said: “He set out on that day to steal the Magna Carta from Salisbury Cathedral and his attempt failed and it failed for two reasons.

“The first is the safety glass protecting such an important historic document was just too tough for the tool he brought. Secondly, he did not bank on there being so many good-spirited visitors and members of staff who would be willing to intervene and he was caught and detained despite trying to get away.”

Mr Welling said that members of the public, including American visitors and a member of staff, attempted to contain Royden but he threatened them with a hammer.

Leigh Chalmers, cathedral outreach worker, told the court how she and others struggled with Royden and a glass door before pursuing him out of the cathedral.

She said: “The Americans were shouting ‘He’s trying to steal the Magna Carta, stop him’, I was saying ‘Please, please stop him’.” She added: “I was being brave, not stupid.”

Mr Welling said that Royden, described as smelling of alcohol, made comments that he should “get a medal for what he had done” and “he could have done more damage if he had a Samurai sword”.

Royden denies attempted theft and a second count of criminal damage to the security case costing £14,466. The case continues.