Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images
The man was spotted in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Christmas Day 2021 wearing black clothing and a metal mask, here in February 2022.
London CNN –
A Briton who broke into Windsor Castle with a loaded crossbow and plotted to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
Jaswant Singh Chail, 21, was arrested on Christmas Day 2021 from the grounds of the royal residence where the late monarch was staying during the pandemic.
It is believed Chail had scaled the perimeter of the castle using a nylon rope ladder before his arrest. Wearing black clothing and a scary metal mask, he told a police officer: “I’m here to kill the queen” before being arrested.
In February, Chail pleaded guilty to three charges, including treason and possession of an offensive weapon, at a hearing at London’s Old Bailey court.
Crown Prosecution Service/AP
This undated photo, released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on February 3, shows the crossbow Chail was carrying when he was arrested.
Sentencing judge Judge Hilliard sentenced him to nine years in prison and a further five years on extended licence, news agency PA Media reported on Thursday.
“The defendant harbored homicidal thoughts to which he acted before becoming psychotic,” the judge said. “His intention was not just to harm or alarm the Empress – but to kill her.”
According to PA Media, Chail was sentenced under a “hybrid order” under the Mental Health Act, which means he will serve his sentence at Broadmoor maximum security psychiatric hospital until he is well enough to be transferred to prison.
The court heard that Chail was a “Star Wars” fan who referred to himself as a “Sith” in a video he sent to about 20 people after breaking into the castle grounds and used his AI chatbot to break into the castle Castle had been pushed. Girlfriend,” the British news agency reported.
Crown Prosecution Service/AP
The mask Chail was wearing when he was caught in the grounds of Windsor Castle, in a photo released by the CPS.
The Old Bailey was also told that Chail wrote in a diary he attempted to email to his sister that when the sovereign was “unreachable” he would have to “make an effort” for the prince, an apparent reference to the then Prince Charles, as he “seems”. to be just as suitable in many ways.”
British media reported that Chail was the first person in the United Kingdom to be convicted of treason in over 40 years.
According to PA Media, Chail apologized to the royal family in a letter to the court, expressing his “dismay and sadness”.
“He is embarrassed and ashamed that he has brought such terrible and worrying times to their doorstep,” said his lawyer, Nadia Chbat. “He expressed relief that no one was actually hurt.”