Man apprehended at Windsor Castle pleads guilty to treason offence

A man who gained entry to the grounds of Windsor Castle armed with a crossbow on Christmas Day 2021 has admitted to an offence under the Treason Act, following an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

Jaswant Singh Chail (21) from Southampton, pleaded guilty to the three offences at the Old Bailey on Friday, 3 February:

An offence under section 2 of the Treason Act, 1842; Threats to kill (contrary to section 16 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861); and: Possession of an offensive weapon (contrary to section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953).

Two officers saw Chail within the grounds of Windsor Castle at around 08:10hrs on 25 December 2021 and one approached him.

Carrying a crossbow loaded with a bolt, Chail was wearing black clothing and a metal mask and said to the officers he was there to kill Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was on the Castle’s grounds at the time.

Commander Richard Smith, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said:

"This was an extremely serious incident, but one which the patrolling officers who apprehended Chail managed with great composure and professionalism.

"They showed tremendous bravery to confront a masked man who was armed with a loaded crossbow, and then detain him without anyone coming to harm.

“Our Royalty and Specialist Protection Command works with the Royal Household and local police forces at various Royal Residences across the country to ensure those living, working or visiting are kept safe.”

Chail is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Friday, 31 March.