Southampton Man Sentenced to 9 Years Imprisonment for Attempted Attack on Queen at Windsor Castle

A Southampton man, Jaswant Chail, has been sentenced to 9 years in prison with an additional 5 year licence upon release for his attempted attack on Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. The incident occurred on Christmas Day 2021 when Chail trespassed within the castle’s grounds armed with a loaded crossbow and made threats against the Queen.

Chail, 21 year’s old, was apprehended by police after telling an armed officer that he intended to kill Queen Elizabeth II. This threat was overheard by two soldiers from the Grenadier Guards. Additionally, Chail had recorded a video just four days before the incident, reiterating his intention to harm the Queen.

On 03 February, 2023, Chail pleaded guilty to three charges at the Old Bailey, including making threats to kill, possession of an offensive weapon, and an offence under the 1842 Treason Act. Medical reports were ordered by the court before the sentencing.

The sentencing, which took place at the Old Bailey, was as follows:

Count 1: Making threats to kill – 44 months imprisonment
Count 2: Possession of an offensive weapon – 16 months imprisonment
Count 3: Offence under the 1842 Treason Act – 48 months imprisonment
Additionally, an Extended Prisoner Program (EPP) of a 5 year licence has been ordered for Chail upon his release. Until he is assessed as fit to be transferred to prison, Chail will remain under a hospital order.

Nick Price, Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, commented on the case, saying, “Chail entered the protected areas within Windsor Castle after making threats to kill Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Thankfully, police officers intervened, and nobody was hurt. This was a serious incident, but fortunately a rare one. We are grateful to all those who were involved in the investigation.”

At the time of Chail’s arrest, Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Royal Family were present at Windsor Castle. Chail, wearing a hood, mask, and gloves, was intercepted by an armed officer at approximately 8am. He explicitly stated his intention to harm the Queen, and it was later discovered that he had sent a video making the same threat to his contacts list just moments before his arrest.

The officer successfully ordered Chail to drop the crossbow, which was later found to be loaded and ready to fire, with its safety catch in the ‘off’ position. Subsequent tests revealed that the crossbow had the potential to cause serious or fatal injury, similar to a powerful air rifle.

Crossbow bolts, a metal file, and other items were discovered in a hotel room where Chail had stayed the night before the incident.

Historical Context: Treason Act
Under the 1842 Treason Act, it is an offence to assault the Sovereign or have a firearm or offensive weapon in their presence with the intent to injure or alarm them or to cause a breach of peace. This law finds its roots in an incident on May 29, 1842, when Queen Victoria was targeted by a man named John Francis, who aimed a pistol at her but did not fire it. Subsequently, attacks continued, leading to the amendment of the death penalty to a life sentence for such offences.

The Act was designed to recognise lesser crimes against the monarch, such as intent to alarm, which would not warrant the death penalty. In 1981, Marcus Sarjaent was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for firing blank shots at the Queen during a parade. The last person to be convicted under the more serious 1351 Treason Act, known as high treason, was William Joyce, also known as Lord Haw Haw, who collaborated with Germany during World War II.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of security measures around the Royal Family and the historical significance of the laws protecting the monarch.