An armed Buckingham Place intruder admitted a trespass charge when he appeared in court today - but claimed he "didn’t know" he was inside the royal household.
Cameron Kalani, 44, also admitted carrying a kitchen knife and possession of a rap of cocaine after triggering a major royal security scare when he was spotted climbing into the grounds of the Queen's home.
Westminster Magistrates Court heard Kalani was seen trying to climb over a fence on the Royal Mews at around 4.30am on May 10 before getting back down.
Kalani was confused and ‘didn’t know where he was or what was happening’ before guards searched him and found the drugs and blade.
Alexander Alawode, prosecuting, said: ‘’The defendant was seen by a security marshal in Buckingham Palace Road trying to climb over the fence and trespass.
‘’He climbed over the fence into the Royal Mews and then back onto Buckingham Palace Road.
‘’Concerned by this breach of security, the guard officers detained the defendant outside the steps a short while later.
‘’The defendant appeared to be confused, not knowing where he was or what was happening.
‘’His bag was searched and items were found in it. He could have been under the influence of substances at the time.
‘’Following this incident a mental health report was served which on 21 September confirmed he has paranoid schizophrenia.’’
Natasha Lake, in mitigation for Kalani, said: ‘’He says he didn’t know or suspect the site in question was Buckingham Palace. He accepts guilt on the basis of that.’
Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram adjourned the case to December 16 for a pre-sentence report and psychiatric report to be prepared.
Kalani, of Haywards Heath, West Sussex, was released on unconditional bail.
The incident follows two security scares on royal property earlier this year.
In April a 44-year-old woman who claimed she was engaged to Prince Andrew was let onto the grounds by bungling security staff.
On May 2 a couple were arrested after they climbed a wall at Windsor near where The Queen walks her corgis and Prince Andrew lives.
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