Law Weblog

An offence of trespass…

Monday 28 May 2007 at 7:29 am | In News | Post Comment An offence of criminal trespass begins on 1st June 2007. It was found to be necessary when no action could be taken against Aaron Barschak who jumped on stage dressed as Osama bin Laden at Prince William’s 21st birthday at Windsor Castle on 21st June 2003 when. He was found to be a simple trespasser against whom no criminal sanction could be used. In the same year a reporter started work as a footman at Buckingham Palace and the paper published photographs of the inside of the palace including the Queen’s breakfast table.
The offence is viewed as being necessary both to create a deterrent to intrusions at high profile secure sites where no other apparent existing offence had been committed. Not only are Royal residences covered but some government buildings too, including 10 Downing Street. There are initially 16 locations but it is inevitable that the number will increase.