...By Solomon Thomas for TDPel Media.
A protestor who threw eggs at King Charles III during a visit to York has been found guilty of threatening behaviour, but has been spared prison time.
Patrick Thelwell, a 23-year-old former University of York student and gardener, hurled “at least” five eggs at the monarch and also accused him of being friends with known paedophile Jimmy Saville.
The eggs narrowly missed the King and Queen consort Camilla, passing over them.
Thelwell will have to complete 100 hours of community service work and pay £714 in legal bills.
He asked the judge if he needed any gardening work done to earn money to pay the bills.
Before the sentence was handed down, Thelwell was asked about his job prospects and replied by asking if anyone needed gardening work done.
He was arrested during the same crowd where he threw the eggs towards the King and Queen consort Camilla.
The court found that Thelwell had “pre-targeted the King on the day” and that his actions had “intended his behaviour to be threatening”.
The prosecution’s Michael Smith provided evidence of what Thelwell shouted during the incident.
He shouted “paedophile”, “King Charles is a paedophile” and “friends with Jimmy Savile”.
It was stressed to Thelwell the separation of the crown and justice system.
The judge also emphasised that the monarch is left with an entirely symbolic role in the justice system and is not involved in the actual administration of justice.
While Thelwell won’t be going to prison, he was given 100 hours of community service work and has been ordered to pay £714 in legal bills.
The former student, who is described by some outlets as “debt-ridden”, asked the judge if he needed gardening work done to help him earn some money.
Thelwell left his studies and accrued £10k in unpaid rent because he thought he was going to prison.
