Derek Egan, 39, climbed over a fence and got into the garden at Kensington Palace twice before being jailed for 32 weeks
A man who broke onto the grounds of Kensington Palace on two separate occasions in the run-up to Christmas has been jailed. And when asked why he did what he did, he gave a simple four-word response.
Derek Egan, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of trespassing on a protected site at Westminster Magistrates Court. When quizzed about why he had targeted the palace, he declared: “Because I’m a criminal.”
Egan, from Hillingdon, was sentenced on Tuesday to 32 weeks behind bars after receiving a 16-week term for each trespass offence, to be served consecutively. He had also violated his bail conditions which prohibited him from returning to the Royal residence.
The court was told that around 4am on December 22, Egan scaled a fence and made his way into the gardens at Kensington Palace in west London, which occasionally houses Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three kids. After being taken to a police station and bailed, he shockingly went back to the Royal home the next day.
During the sentencing, the judge blatantly asked Egan: “Why did you go there?” Egan calmly responded: “Because I’m a criminal.”, according to the Mirror.
Visibly stunned at the answer, the judge shot back: “Are you well? Are there any issues in your life?” Egan stated in response: “All is fine.”
The judge also explained that he could in fact be going to jail as a result of what he did. After being told the gravity of the situation, Egan replied: “I suppose I am happy as a criminal to follow whatever judgment (of) yourself and your court today.”
The judge told Egan, who opted to represent himself in court, that “the offences are serious”. The presiding judge claimed: “You were found in the garden at Kensington Palace having climbed over the fence; the police bailed you, granted you bail but you went back.
“You did it again,” he added. “You were arrested and brought before this court.
“You gave no explanation as to why you did it but climbed over a fence.” The judge continued to address Egan: “In your dealings with the police you were given instruction not to go back but you chose to ignore that instruction of the police.
“Therefore, the second offence is more serious.” Trespassing on a protected site designated under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (Socpa) 2005 constitutes a criminal offence.
A fresh exclusion zone has recently been established around the Wales family’s new residence in Windsor Great Park, Forest Lodge. The family also possess a 10-bedroom estate, Anmer Hall, located on the Sandringham grounds in Norfolk.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.