Man who was tackled for trying to touch the Queen’s coffin says he wanted to ‘check she was dead’
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The man who was decked by police and arrested after grabbing at Queen Elizabeth II's coffin has given some very wild reasons for his behaviour.
Muhammad Khan, 28, was taken down by police after he allegedly shoved a child out of the way before he lunged for the Queen's coffin on Friday (September 16).
Footage from the scene shows members of the public looking shocked, and a man being tackled to the ground by guards.
Appearing in court after the dramatic incident, the 28-year-old has now explained why he grabbed the Queen’s coffin in the first place.
Khan told the court that 'he did not believe [the Queen was dead' and wanted to check, the Daily Mail reports.
He also allegedly claimed to the court that he planned to write to the Royal Family and, if he did not hear back, he 'planned to trespass at royal residences' to find the Queen himself and speak to her.
"I would have to trespass in order to try and make contact," he said, as per the Evening Standard, adding that he would continue to try 'as long as [he is] living'.
The Westminster court heard that he believed that King Charles had something to do with the Queen's death.
The 28-year-old fronted charges in Westminster Magistrates Court under Section 4A of the Public Order Act.
Prosecutor Luke Staton described the events that occurred on Friday September 16 to the court.
"The defendant had reached Westminster Hall. He was then seen by officers, who were present, to approach the coffin," Staton said, as per the Sun.
"He stepped off the carpet in the direction of the catafalque, then grabbed hold of the Royal Standard flag draped over the coffin with both of his hands."
The court then heard that Khan was tackled, removed from the space, arrested, and interviewed by police.
"The defendant did express the idea that the Queen is not dead and that he approached the coffin because he wanted to check for himself," Staton said according to the Daily Mail.
Staton also revealed that Khan had plans to attempt to attend the state funeral attended by the Royal Family and dignitaries from across the globe.
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The prosecutor added, as per the Sun: "He planned to write to the Royal Family and if they did not reply he planned to go to Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and Balmoral to try to speak to the Queen."
District Judge Michael Snow told Khan that he was 'delusional'.
"At the time when you were in Westminster you didn't accept that the Queen was dead and that was the reason you were moving towards the coffin to satisfy yourself that she was," Snow said, as per the Daily Mail.
"He is delusional still and thinks the Queen is not dead, thinks King Charles has something to do with it and may go to Windsor Castle to pay his respects but also because he still thinks she is alive."
Khan has been granted bail on condition he remains in an east London mental health hospital until his next appearance in court on October 18.
Featured Image Credit: BBC. Jeff Gilbert / Alamy.
Topics: The Queen, Royal Family, King Charles III, Crime, UK News, News
