Royal Family news reveals that the man accused of planning to kill Queen Elizabeth with a crossbow has been given a trial date. Read on and we’ll fill you in on the details.
Royal Family News: The Charges
Royal Family news reveals that Jaswant Singh Chail was arrested on castle grounds on Christmas Day last year while the Queen was on the property. According to Hello! Magazine, the 20-year-old was seen wearing a hood and mask, carrying a crossbow with bolt loaded into the crossbow barrel.
Chail’s charge states that “on December 25, 2021, at Windsor Castle, near to the person of the Queen, [Chail] did willfully 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.”
According to the BBC, Chail appeared via video link to answer the three charges, including one charge under the Treason Act. The trial, expected to last some three weeks, is set for March 20, 2023.
Uses of Treason Act
The Treason act of 1842 stipulated that it is an offense to assault the Queen or have a firearm or offensive weapon in her presence with intent to injure or alarm her or to cause a breach of peace. The last person to be jailed under this section of the Treason Act was Marcus Sargent.
His charges alleged he fired blanks shots at the Queen while she was riding down The Mall in London during the annual Trooping the Colour parade. That was 41 years ago, in 1981 and Sarjent served a five-year sentence.
The Arrest
Jaswant Singh Chail, from Southhampton, was reportedly arrested at Windsor Castle last Christmas morning after he was spotted carrying a loaded Supersonic X-Bow. Soon afterward he was handcuffed and taken into police custody and subsequently relocated to a high-security psychiatric hospital where he has remained (via Metro).
Chail appeared at Westminster Magistrate’s Court in August simply to confirm his name, date he was born, and his address at the psychiatric hospital.
Last Appearance, Trial Date Set
At Old Bailey on Wednesday, Chail appeared via video link to make a plea and attend a case-management hearing. He reportedly wore a black hooded top and a matching T-shirt. The former supermarket worker spoke again, only to confirm his name and date of birth.
The plea hearing was reportedly postponed until December in order for more evidence to be obtained. Justice Sweeney set a provisional trial date for March 20. Be sure and stay up to speed on this and other royally related stories. Return here often for more Royal Family news and updates.