The trial of Alex Jenkinson, a 39-year-old man charged with directing threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been postponed until December 21. Mr Jenkinson denies the charge.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring adjourned the case at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday due to concerns about the defendant’s mental health.
The hearing had originally been scheduled to proceed on the same day. Mr Jenkinson was not present in court for the proceedings.
He is alleged to have caused Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to “fear unlawful violence” during an incident in Norfolk on May 6.
The trial of Alex Jenkinson, a 39-year-old man charged with directing threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been postponed until December 21; Mr Jenkinson denies the charge
|
GETTY
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is anticipated to give evidence via video link at the rescheduled trial.
The alleged offence is partly connected to an encounter while Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was walking his dogs in Wolferton, near his Marsh Farm residence.
In the immediate wake of the alleged incident, Mr Jenkinson was held under the Mental Health Act for approximately one month. He was subsequently placed in temporary accommodation at a Travelodge.
The court was told that Mr Jenkinson had undergone a psychiatric evaluation on Tuesday, with a resulting report expected to be completed by early August.
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Alex Jenkinson appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court | PA
A further search on his phone relating to the words “Prince Andrew” and “birthday” was among the details disclosed during Wednesday’s hearing.
Digital evidence from Mr Jenkinson’s mobile phone is expected to play a significant role at trial. Defence barrister Claire Howell noted in written submissions that a police officer had compiled a 341-page download of the device.
That officer had “conducted keyword searches of the internet browsing history on the download”, and prepared evidence “purporting to exhibit the various downloads which she titled ‘Andrew’, ‘search Sandringham’ and ‘weapons’.”
Mr Jenkinson’s legal team challenged the manner in which this phone evidence had been compiled.
Marsh Farm is now Andrew’s permanent home in Norfolk | GETTY
The court heard that a forensic police specialist is now expected to present the digital evidence at the December hearing instead.
Mr Jenkinson has admitted to failing to provide a specimen of blood whilst in custody on May 6.
However, he contests the public order charge relating to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor.
He has additionally entered a not guilty plea to a separate allegation of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear or provoke unlawful violence against a man named Stephen Terry in King’s Lynn on May 5.
As a condition of his bail, Mr Jenkinson is prohibited from approaching several royal residences, including Sandringham, Buckingham Palace, Balmoral, Windsor and Highgrove.
He is also forbidden from entering Norfolk or making any direct or indirect contact with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor.