Man accused of throwing egg at King Charles in Luton appears in court

A man accused of hurling an egg during King Charles’ visit to Luton last month has appeared before Magistrates this morning.

Harry Spartacus May, 21, is alleged to have thrown the egg while the King was on a walkabout near the Town Hall in St George’s Square on 6 December.

The 74-year-old monarch was steered away by bodyguards and continued shaking hands with members of the public further along George Street.

The defendant appeared at Luton magistrates’ court where he gave his name as Harry Spartacus May, date of birth as 16 May 2001 and address as Moreton Road South, Luton.

He was wearing glasses, a blue top and white shirt. He is charged with a public order offence under Section 5 1 and 6 of the Public Order Act 1986.

The charge details were that he used “threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby contrary to Section 5 1 and 6 of the Public Order Act public 1986.”

Prosecutor Matthew Taylor said it is a “special jurisdiction case” that can only be heard by the Chief Magistrate.

Defending, Ahmed Malik told the magistrates Harry May had not been informed of the case being moved to Westminster magistrates’ court.

He said: “It could have been dealt with today. He wanted to plead guilty and the matter dealt with as quickly as possible. The only sentence the court can impose is a financial penalty.” 

He said: “He is a young man who wanted it dealt with today. He is very stressed and traumatised, having spent time at Luton police station. He understood the case was being dealt with today.”

The Chair of the Bench Helen Cook granted him bail to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court at 10am on Friday (13 Jan).

“I am sure things will be resolved on that occasion,” she said. Harry May replied: "I understand."

In York on 9 November the King and Queen Consort had four eggs thrown at them, all of which missed.

A 23-year-old student Patrick Thelwell was arrested and charged with a public order offence.

He is due at York Magistrates’ Court on 20 January.

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